Although the notion of living on the ocean sounds scary to many, it is not really impossible.
There have been numerous people who have survived as well as succumbed to death in the waters of the sea.
While some of them were simply left behind by a boat or lost their way, many other sea-life enthusiasts have made conscious decisions to live their lives on the ocean for as long as possible.
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Can You Live On the Ocean?
No matter what the challenges and threats, you can live on the ocean. The Bajau community in Malaysia lives throughout their lives on the ocean, looking for fish and living hand to mouth. They live in huts that are not so strong to withstand the catastrophes at sea.
People Who Live On The Ocean
You might have heard of many people who resort to sea for their residence instead of a luxury bungalow.
All these people have very interesting and varied stories to tell.
Retired Folks
The US News and World Report once reported that many individuals resort to living at sea after retirement.
This is perhaps because living on the land their entire life has created so much monotony and boredom that when they finally get their freedom in old age, they can think of nothing else but being somewhere that provides them enough thrill for the rest of their lives.
This way of living is in contrast with people who go on to travel by road after retirement.
They buy an RV, grab some of the most important items they would need in their journey, and head for someplace they have always wanted to be.
Moken Community of Myanmar
The Moken people of Myanmar are famous for living their entire lives in the sea, right from when they are born until the time they breathe their last according to Survival International.
They are nomadic people who have never lived much on land as a community. All they have known is that the sea is their world and the ‘Kabang’ is their home.
Kabang is a kind of boat that is typically very small, carries only four to five people, and often tows a couple of other boats behind it.
In the last decade, this community realized the challenges of living on the sea with their families in the kind of boat that cannot be relied upon for long.
Such a way of living where you would be lucky if you find something to eat and heavy rainfall does not make you sick is not an easy decision to make.
Due to these reasons, their population has decreased from twelve thousand people a decade earlier to only two thousand people today.
Even now, the remaining people of Myanmar living on the ocean are trying to establish their lives on the land, where there are better opportunities for earning their livelihood.
Cargo Employees
Apart from retired personnel and Moken people, cargo offices and employees spend most of their year on the ocean.
If you are one of them, you would be making a conscious decision to do so because being in cargo for nine months out of twelve comes with a lot of side effects.
One of the most significant hurdles in a cargo life is being away from your home, your family, and your friends.
You have to be strong enough to be able to live away from your family, with little to no communication or contact.
You won’t be able to see your children progress in school, nor will you attend weekly BBQ events in the park with your friends.
As an officer in cargo, you will have immense responsibilities.
Not only will you be responsible for the maintenance of the ship, but you will also have to take responsibility for all your subordinates.
It is all your call, from waking them up at 2 am to giving them sufficient training. All this can take a more considerable toll on you, alongside being away from your family.
Benefits of Living On the Ocean
While it can be a challenge to live on the ocean in some aspects, it also has a flipside.
It gives immense benefits as well, some of which are listed below.
Increased White Blood Cells
The trees and the plants growing near bodies of water give off phytoncides.
If inhaled, these chemicals have properties that result in an increase in the count of white blood cells in your body.
White blood cells, aka leucocytes, fight off viruses and strengthen the body’s immune system.
Better Sleep
Your body is allowed to dive into a more prolonged and deeper sleep when it is near the water.
Unlike any other place, the surroundings of the water are quiet and peaceful, giving you a much better sleep experience.
It drives away negative thoughts and instills in you only the peace and quiet of the surrounding waters.
Increased Quality of Air
Seawater, or the water found near shores, is known to have a greater concentration of negative ions. These negative ions are responsible for increasing the body’s capability to absorb oxygen.
Moreover, since the air found near the ocean is clean and free of harmful toxins primarily present in the industrial areas, it also helps balance serotonin levels inside the body.
Greater Levels of Happiness
Research suggests that your brain enters the ‘Blue Mind’ phase whenever you are near water.
Being in or around the water of the ocean increases dopamine levels, which implies the overall happiness of an individual.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Possibility of Living on the Ocean
How deep can humans live underwater?
Although no hard limit has been decided as to how deep humans can survive in the ocean, many people have survived to incredible depths and have won world records for their endeavors. Many professional divers have gone to a depth of about 400 feet, but not past that.
Are there any houses inside the sea?
In recent years, more and more work has been done in order to make sea housing more prevalent and affordable. Famous Malaysian Architect Ahmed Saleem designed the Muraka, the world’s first villa built underwater. In an interview, Ahmed expressed that he wanted to make something where people could unwind while looking at marine life.
Is there any part of the ocean which is not been discovered yet?
80 percent of our oceans have yet to be discovered. It still remains a mystery as to what lies in the ocean.
Can you consider the ocean’s deepest part as the coldest?
The cold water of the ocean is dense; hence, it settles at the bottom part of the sea. The water there is about 4 degrees Celsius on average.
