Preparing to join a vessel is an exciting experience, whether you are stepping onto a deck for the first time as a trainee or returning as a seasoned crew member. Life at sea requires careful preparation because you cannot simply walk to a local store if you forget essential items. Once the ship leaves the port, you rely entirely on what you brought along in your luggage. Proper preparation helps you focus on your work duties, stay comfortable, and maintain good health during your contract period.
To help you pack efficiently without missing anything critical, we have put together a detailed guide covering all the necessary items you must carry onboard. From official documentation to personal care products, here is everything you need for a smooth and comfortable voyage.
Summary of Things Seafarers Must Carry While Onboarding
| Category | Items to Carry / Arrange |
| Documents & Company Supplies | • Passport / All travel documents / Certificates• Training Record Booklet• Laptop PC with Cadet Stars Program installed• Cadet Handout / Cadet Handbook• Training & Service Record Book• Health Book• Ship’s ID Card for Cadet |
| Uniforms & Workwear | • Navy blue pants (Deck: 2, Engine: 1)• White shirts (Deck: 1 half + 1 full sleeve, Engine: 1)• Boiler Suits (Deck: 2, Engine: 3 pairs)• Safety shoes (1 pair) |
| Stationery & Study Material | • Books for self study (Deck or Engine related)• Dictionary (1 pc)• Note Books (Sufficient)• Pens, Pencils, Eraser, Marker pens, Ruler, Color pens• Scientific Calculator (1 pc) |
| Personal Wear & Apparel | • Epaulets (1 pair)• Full sleeve blue sweater/pullover for epaulets (1 pc)• Additional warm jacket or sweater (1 pc)• Monkey Cap – woolen (1 pc)• Thermal Inners / Long Johns (2 pairs)• Under wears (8 sets)• Black socks & Working socks (4 pairs each)• Warm woolen socks (2 pairs)• Personal clothes (Sufficient)• Black Leather Shoes (1 pair)• Bathroom slippers (1 pair)• Closed toes slippers for outside cabin (1 pair) |
| Toiletries & Grooming | • Tooth Brush (3 pcs)• Tooth Paste 100g (3 tubes)• Shaving kit (1 set)• Shaving Gel / Cream (2 tubes)• Grooming kit – nail clipper, comb, etc. (1 set)• Shoe Polish / Brush (1 set) |
| Miscellaneous & Electronics | • Prescribed Medicine (Only with doctor’s prescription)• Wrist watch & Table clock (1 each)• Sunglasses (For Deck Cadet)• Emergency Cash (Minimum $200)• Whistle (For Deck Cadet)• Two-pin or Multinational International Adapter (1 pc) |
1. Official Documents and Training Records
Your documentation is the single most critical category of items you must carry. Without valid original paperwork, you will not be allowed to board the ship. Always keep these documents in your hand luggage or a dedicated waterproof folder so they stay safe during travel.
- Passport and Travel Documents: Ensure your passport has sufficient validity left, along with any necessary visas for the countries your ship will visit.
- Certificates and Medical Clearance: Carry all required original certificates, endorsement letters, and your mandatory medical fitness certificate.
- Company Handbooks and Logbooks: Bring your training record books, cadet handbooks, service record books, and ship identity cards provided by your company.
- Digital Copies: Keep a backup USB drive containing scanned copies of all your certificates and identity documents in case of emergencies.
2. Company Supplies and Work Uniforms
Working onboard requires strict adherence to safety standards and uniform regulations. While ships provide specific items, you need to carry your assigned company workwear and study tools.
- Working Uniforms: Carry the specified number of boiler suits, navy blue work trousers, and white short sleeve or full sleeve uniform shirts as required by your rank.
- Safety Shoes: Bring a sturdy pair of approved safety shoes or steel toe boots to protect your feet during operational duties.
- Training Equipment: Cadets must carry their assigned laptops preloaded with training modules, training booklets, and reference manuals.
- Rank Accessories: Remember to pack your epaulets for official uniform wear.
3. Stationery and Study Material
Continuous learning is a major part of life onboard. You will need proper writing materials to maintain logs, complete assignments, and update training books.
- Self Study Books: Carry relevant technical reference books related to navigation, engine operations, or maritime regulations.
- Notebooks and Writing Tools: Pack a sufficient supply of plain notebooks, ballpoint pens, pencils, erasers, highlighters, markers, and rulers.
- Dictionaries and Calculators: Bring a standard dictionary and a reliable scientific calculator for daily calculations and technical studies.
Recommended Read: Safety and Operations in the Merchant Navy
4. Clothing and Personal Wear
Weather conditions at sea can change rapidly from extreme heat to freezing cold. Packing a versatile selection of personal clothing guarantees comfort in all working environments.
- Warm Clothing: Pack a quality woolen sweater or pullover suitable for wearing with epaulets, an additional warm jacket, long thermal innerwear, and a woolen monkey cap.
- Daily Underwear and Socks: Carry at least eight sets of daily underwear, four pairs each of regular black socks and working socks, plus two pairs of thick woolen socks for cold regions.
- Cabin Footwear: Bring comfortable slippers for inside your personal cabin, as well as closed toe slippers for walking around inside the accommodation area.
- Personal Casual Wear: Include a sufficient set of regular casual clothes, such as comfortable t-shirts and shorts, for off duty hours inside the cabin.
5. Toiletries and Personal Grooming Items
Maintaining personal hygiene is essential for healthy group living on a vessel. Since store availability varies, bring enough grooming products to last several months.
- Dental Hygiene: Pack at least three toothbrushes and three large tubes of toothpaste to cover your stay.
- Shaving and Grooming Kit: Bring a complete shaving set along with two extra tubes of shaving gel or cream. Include a grooming kit containing nail clippers, scissors, and hair combs.
- Foot Care: Include a set of black shoe polish and a shoe brush to maintain your leather work shoes in clean condition.
6. Electronics and Miscellaneous Essentials
Having the right personal gadgets makes off duty time more enjoyable and keeps you connected during port stays.
- International Electrical Adapter: Ship power outlets vary by country of manufacture. Carry a reliable universal multi pin adapter or standard two pin adapter to charge your electronic devices safely.
- Watches and Clocks: Bring a reliable wrist watch for shift duties and a small table clock or alarm for your cabin.
- Cash for Emergencies: Carry a minimum of 200 US Dollars in cash for personal expenses during port stops or travel emergencies.
- Personal Medicines: Bring any required personal medication, but ensure you carry a valid doctor prescription along with them.
- Specialized Gear: Deck cadets should pack UV protection sunglasses for daytime watchkeeping and a safety whistle.
7. Items Provided by the Ship
To avoid overpacking, it is equally important to know what you do not need to bring. Ships supply standard personal protective equipment and bulk cleaning items directly onboard.
- Towels and Soaps: Bath towels, face towels, bathing soap, and laundry soap or washing powder are supplied directly by the ship on a regular basis.
- Safety Gear: Heavy duty work gloves, safety goggles, safety helmets, ear plugs, safety flashlights, and walkie talkies are provided onboard and returned when signing off.
Recommended Read: 10 Inspiring Life Lessons the World Can Learn from Seafarers
FAQs
1. How much cash should you carry when joining a ship?
You should carry at least 200 US Dollars in cash for emergency travel expenses and personal purchases during port calls.
2. Do you need to pack your own towels and laundry soap?
No, ships provide bath towels, face towels, bathing soap, and laundry soap directly to the crew on a monthly basis.
3. What electrical plug adapter should you bring onboard?
You should carry a universal international multi pin adapter to ensure your electronic devices fit the various socket types found on ships.
4. Are you allowed to carry personal medicines on a vessel?
Yes, you can carry personal medicines as long as you have a valid prescription from a certified doctor accompanying them.
5. Which personal safety gear is provided directly by the ship?
The ship provides safety helmets, safety goggles, flashlights, ear plugs, work gloves, and walkie talkies for daily operations.
