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.
Related
Primary sources
High confidence
Last verified