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One missing document at the gangway can end a contract before it starts. This hub is the practical, plain-English checklist of every document a seafarer is asked for — by an agent at the airport, by immigration at the joining port, by the Master at sign-on, by an inspector during a port-state-control visit, by an insurer after an injury — with what it is, who checks it, the common ways it goes wrong, and what to do if it's lost or expired.
Use the document checklist tool to generate a tailored pre-flight list, or jump to a specific document below.
ILO C185-compliant SID or national discharge book — who issues it, validity, what it proves, replacement if lost.
Where it sits separately from the CDC; how endorsements record sea service; what to do if missing.
Validity rule of thumb, blank-page requirements, embassy contacts at major crew-change airports, what to do if seized.
STCW A-I/9 + MLC Reg 1.2 medical — what's tested, validity, approved doctors, flag-state variations.
Employer-mandated PEME vs flag-state medical — overlap, drug screen, vaccinations.
Yellow fever, hepatitis, typhoid, tetanus, covid; ICVP / yellow card; country-of-entry vaccine rules.
WHO yellow card, 10-day rule, exemptions, replacement.
Officers and engineers — issuing administration, validity, renewal, EAR for second flags.
Ratings and specialist endorsements — what each one covers, refresher cycles.
STCW Regulation I/10 — when you need it, how to apply, common delays.
BST, PSCRB, AFF, MFA, ECDIS, BRM, security awareness — what every department typically holds.
MLC A2.1 — what the SEA must contain, who you keep a copy with, what to do if it's amended at the gangway.
Send-home portion of wages — MLC A2.2(4), payee, frequency, fees, how to change.
Who is informed if you are injured, missing, or deceased — keep the spelling right.
Always sail with your own copy of the SEA, the CBA reference, and the allotment form.
P&I cover, personal accident cover, health insurance, repatriation insurance — what your employer carries and what you may add.
IBAN, SWIFT, beneficiary name as on passport, allotment vs end-of-contract account, fees.
When required (US C1/D, USVI, certain flag states, cruise lines) — validity and apostille notes.
C1/D, Schengen, Australian MCV, UK transit — who arranges, what to carry, what the agent should send before flying.
The owner's letter you show at immigration. Why airlines and border officers ask for it.
Three people, two countries, one offline copy. ITF and ISWAN numbers. Embassy at sign-on airport.
One-page summary of what must be in your hand, your phone, and your cabin before sign-on.
30-minute pre-airport sweep: documents, passport pages, bank, agent contact, embassy number.
Hard-copy and phone-photo backup list — the difference between a stressful sign-off and a stuck one.
PDFs, photos, encrypted notes, family WhatsApp groups, ISWAN contact card — the offline pack that travels with you.
Tailored pre-flight list based on rank, vessel, joining country, flag, and nationality.
If something is wrong at the gangway.
MLC A2.1 — the contract you must be given a copy of.
Certification side of the document picture.
Each STCW and flag-specific certificate indexed.
Per-country issuing authorities and pathways.