Naviphobia

Naviphobia or navisphobia (from navis, Latin for "ship", "vessel", "boat") is the fear of boats and cruise ships. The fear is often triggered due to past negative maritime experience, like getting seasick or boat where he/she is on capsizing. Another trigger is losing loved ones to boating accidents as well as hearing about boat deaths or the sinking of a large cruise ship. First learning about the historical tragedy of is also a powerful trigger of fear. Sufferers would simply avoid going on boats.

If naviphobes (people with naviphobia) go on boats, symptoms would result, including air hunger, nausea, dizziness, terror, and sensing lack of escape. It is often treated using counseling,, and even if near bodies of water. Exposure therapy involves going on a raft in the swimming pool first, then paddle the kayak in a calm pond, river, then lake, and then finally small engine-powered boat in the lake then ocean if near the coast.