Whatever works on land will work on the ocean.
But you have to consider the antenna, and the ship
itself. Being the ship will be steel, I wouldn't expect to
get much down below deck, if you are surrounded by
steel. Will be dead...I imagine you will have to sit
up on deck to receive anything. But...Reception should
be good as long as you are exposed to the sky. Even a
portable whip should be ok, up on deck. Would be nice
if you could string a wire, or a whip, but I wouldn't count
on it. It will be up to the capt...Wouldn't hurt to ask though.
Never know..He might let you do it if it's easy and not a
hazard. I'd probably just take a short wire with the radio,
and clip the end to an umbrella or something... :/
I've never been on the ocean in a boat. But I did operate a
special events station on the Battleship Texas once about
20? years ago. We ran wire antennas between the different
structures of the ship. Had all bands , including 160m.
We had the radios/amps inside the combat information center,
which was about halfway up the bridge. It was pretty kewl. They
still had all the old WW2 radios, radar, etc. The radar screens
were mounting facing up, and were in wood cases..
It was in Dec, and I nearly froze to death on that thing the night
we stayed on it. The metal blocks the wind, but transmits cold
very well... But it was worth it. I got to look all around the ship
with no one with me. Some parts were blocked off, but I got to
see a lot of it. I still remember seeing the old doctors, and
operating room, and thinking it was a miracle anyone survived
that room...Really primitive compared to todays standards.
The radio room was blocked off. I could see in it a bit, but
couldn't go in. They have since overhauled the ship, and opened
the radio room I think. I think they even have a working ham station
in there now.
MK