Joining-ship checklist

One-page summary of what must be in your hand, your phone, and your cabin before sign-on.

What it is

A consolidated checklist that a working seafarer can scan in five minutes the night before flying. Pulls together the document, financial, medical, and contact items below.

Who needs it

Every seafarer about to join a ship — including cadets and experienced officers returning after leave.

When it is checked

By you, the day before flying and the morning of sign-on.

Common mistakes

Doing it five minutes before leaving for the airport — the few minutes saved are not worth the risk of forgetting a passport copy.
Not telling the family where the backup copies are stored.

Printable checklist

Passport (6+ months validity, 2 blank pages, photocopy, phone photo).
Seafarer's identity document (CDC / SIRB / SID), valid, with last sign-off endorsement.
Visa / crew transit visa (correct class, multi-entry if needed).
Letter of guarantee from owner — colour print + phone photo.
Seafarer medical certificate (STCW/MLC) + PEME, valid for the contract.
Yellow card / ICVP + any country-specific vaccinations.
STCW certificates: BST modules, PSCRB, AFF, MFA, security awareness, plus rank-specific (ECDIS, BRM, tanker, passenger-ship, etc.).
CoC + EAR (if sailing under second flag).
Signed SEA + CBA reference + allotment form + bank details.
Next-of-kin form with two contactable people in two countries.
Emergency contacts saved on phone AND printed — agent, owner, family, ISWAN, ITF, embassy.
Two photocopies of every document above, stored separately.
Phone photos / cloud PDFs of every document.
Reasonable cash in the joining country's currency.
Card that works internationally + spare card.
Sufficient prescription medication for contract length + a doctor's letter.
Family briefed on what to do if you don't make contact within X days.

Primary sources

High confidence

Last verified 15 days ago

Common mistakes

Doing it five minutes before leaving for the airport — the few minutes saved are not worth the risk of forgetting a passport copy.

Not telling the family where the backup copies are stored.

Printable checklist

Passport (6+ months validity, 2 blank pages, photocopy, phone photo).
Seafarer's identity document (CDC / SIRB / SID), valid, with last sign-off endorsement.
Visa / crew transit visa (correct class, multi-entry if needed).
Letter of guarantee from owner — colour print + phone photo.
Seafarer medical certificate (STCW/MLC) + PEME, valid for the contract.
Yellow card / ICVP + any country-specific vaccinations.
STCW certificates: BST modules, PSCRB, AFF, MFA, security awareness, plus rank-specific (ECDIS, BRM, tanker, passenger-ship, etc.).
CoC + EAR (if sailing under second flag).
Signed SEA + CBA reference + allotment form + bank details.
Next-of-kin form with two contactable people in two countries.
Emergency contacts saved on phone AND printed — agent, owner, family, ISWAN, ITF, embassy.
Two photocopies of every document above, stored separately.
Phone photos / cloud PDFs of every document.
Reasonable cash in the joining country's currency.
Card that works internationally + spare card.
Sufficient prescription medication for contract length + a doctor's letter.
Family briefed on what to do if you don't make contact within X days.

High confidence

Last verified 15 days ago

Joining-ship checklist

What it is

Who needs it

When it is checked

Common mistakes

Printable checklist

Related

Primary sources

Joining-ship checklist

What it is

Who needs it

When it is checked

Common mistakes

Printable checklist

Related

Primary sources