How much luggage can I bring on board?

Airlines allow typically 23–30 kg checked baggage on international seafarer tickets — check your joining letter. On board, storage is the real constraint: a standard cabin has one wardrobe, two drawers, a personal safe, and overhead lockers. Most experienced seafarers work within two medium suitcases (roughly 25–30 kg total) and a carry-on bag. Bulk items like sleeping bags and extra linen can usually be sourced on board or sent ahead by sea freight if the company arranges it.

Will the ship provide safety equipment like boots and helmets?

Companies are required under MLC 2006 Regulation 4.3 and SOLAS II-2/10 to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) without charge. In practice, many seafarers prefer their own safety boots for fit and comfort, particularly if working in a hot or cold climate. Check your joining instructions — some companies state whether PPE is issued or expected to be brought. Hard hats, hi-vis vests, and ear defenders are almost always provided by the vessel.

What documents do I absolutely need in my carry-on?

Passport (with all relevant visas), original STCW certificates (BST, GMDSS, AFF, PSCRB, ECDIS as applicable), seafarer's discharge book / Continuous Discharge Certificate, medical fitness certificate, yellow fever vaccination card if applicable, Seafarer Employment Agreement (or joining letter specifying terms), and the agent's contact details for your port of joining. Keep physical originals plus a cloud-stored scan of every document.

Is it worth bringing a laptop?

For most seafarers, yes. A laptop handles offline entertainment (films, ebooks, music), correspondence during WiFi windows, course-study materials, and ECDIS practice software for deck officers. Choose a model with a solid-state drive — rotating hard disks are damaged by vibration over long voyages. A 14" laptop in a padded case fits in most overhead lockers. See the internet-and-communication page for connectivity expectations.

What to pack

Getting the packing right matters more than most people realise before their first contract. Once offshore, there is no pharmacy, no Amazon delivery, and no trip to the shops — what you bring is what you have. Experienced seafarers pack light and purposefully: every kilogram competes with storage space in a cabin typically smaller than a student dorm room. This list covers what most seafarers on deep-sea merchant vessels find essential, with notes on tropical versus cold-climate trade differences.

Documents (carry-on only — never check these)

Passport — with all required visas (US C1/D, Schengen, etc.); check validity — most flag states require 6 months beyond contract end.
Seafarer's discharge book / Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) — your sea-service record; irreplaceable.
STCW certificates — BST, AFF, PSCRB, GMDSS, ECDIS, and any rank-specific endorsements. Originals.
Medical fitness certificate — STCW Reg I/9 / MLC Standard A1.2 — must be valid for the duration of the contract.
Yellow fever vaccination card — if the trading area includes yellow-fever-endemic ports. Many ports in West Africa and South America require it.
Seafarer Employment Agreement (SEA) or joining letter — including agent contacts at the port of joining.
Emergency contact card — complete one at /tools/emergency-contact-plan and keep a laminated copy in your wallet.
Insurance documents — P&I cover certificate, personal travel insurance if applicable.

Store scanned copies of every document in a cloud service accessible from any browser — Google Drive, Dropbox, or similar. Physical loss of originals can be recovered faster with scans in hand.

Workwear and PPE

Many companies issue workwear — confirm in your joining letter before buying. Even if issued, personal items bring comfort and hygiene advantages over shared-stock coveralls:

Coveralls / boiler suits — 2–3 sets minimum; quick-drying polycotton preferred over pure cotton in tropical trades.
Safety boots — steel toecap, ankle support, oil-resistant sole. A well-fitted personal pair prevents blisters on night watches. Budget USD 80–150 for a pair that lasts a full contract.
Gloves — leather work gloves (3 pairs) for deck work; thin liner gloves for cold trades.
Hi-vis vest — typically issued by the vessel, but a spare is useful if yours is lost in laundry.
Hard hat — usually vessel-issued; if bringing your own, check it meets ANSI Z89.1 or EN 397.
Ear defenders / plugs — essential in engine rooms and during mooring operations. Foam plugs are cheapest and most replaceable; bring 20+ pairs.

Clothing for tropical and cold-climate trades

Trade route determines clothing needs more than any other factor. A tanker on the Persian Gulf– Rotterdam run crosses multiple climate zones in a single voyage.

Tropical: lightweight cotton or linen off-duty shirts (4–5), shorts (3–4), sandals, UV-protection sun hat, high-SPF sunscreen. Heat rash is a real problem — moisture-wicking base layers help.
Cold climate: thermal base layer (2 sets), fleece mid-layer (1–2), waterproof outer layer, wool-blend socks (4–6 pairs), warm hat and liner gloves for outdoor work in port.
Universal: smart-casual off-duty clothes for port visits (3–4 outfits); many terminals have agent pickups to the nearest town. A clean pair of shoes matters for immigration and company inspections.

Hygiene and medicine

Ships carry a medical chest (Category A, B, or C depending on vessel type and trading area) stocked to IMO/WHO guidelines. Personal medications and preference items are the seafarer's own responsibility:

Prescription medicines — bring enough for the full contract plus 4 weeks extra. Carry a letter from your doctor in English; some port-state customs require documentation for controlled substances.
Seasickness medication — cinnarizine (Stugeron) or hyoscine patches; most useful in the first week and during heavy-weather passages.
Antifungal cream and powder — tropical heat and shared showers make fungal skin infections common; prevention is easier than treatment.
High-SPF sunscreen (SPF 50+) — 2 large bottles for a 6-month tropical contract.
Personal toiletries — your preferred brand of shampoo, soap, dental products. Ship's stores may carry generic alternatives; quality varies.
Insect repellent — DEET-based for tropical ports where malaria or dengue risk exists; check the vessel's port-health bulletin.

Electronics

Laptop — solid-state drive essential for vibration resistance. 14" form factor fits cabin storage. Useful for entertainment, correspondence, and study. See internet-and-communication for connectivity realities.
Multi-region power adapter + surge protector — ships run 220 V or 110 V at 50 Hz or 60 Hz depending on flag. A universal travel adapter plus a short 4-socket surge-protected extension lead covers most cabin socket configurations. Label it with your name.
USB hub and charging cables — cabin sockets are limited; a 4-port USB hub solves charging for phone, earbuds, and backup battery simultaneously.
Noise-cancelling headphones — engine noise and cabin traffic are constant. Over-ear headphones with active noise cancellation significantly improve sleep quality and off-duty relaxation.
E-reader (Kindle or similar) — a full library in 200 g; essential for slow-internet voyages where streaming is impractical. Download enough books before joining.
Portable hard drive or large USB stick — 1–2 TB for offline film and music. Crew swapping content from shared drives is a long-standing tradition on board.

Comfort and off-duty items

Your own pillowcase and thin blanket — ship's linen is functional but many seafarers find a personal pillowcase and a lightweight travel blanket improve sleep quality significantly.
Instant coffee, tea bags, or hot chocolate — the messroom coffee is free but often indifferent. A small stash of your preference is a genuine morale item.
Snacks from home — local biscuits, dried fruit, or chocolate. Ships' stores do not carry regional products; a familiar taste matters at 0300 in the middle of the Pacific.
Paperback books — 3–4 for the first voyage; swap with other crew thereafter.
Playing cards, chess, or a small board game — analogue entertainment for power-cut evenings, port waits, and watch-room socialising.
Personal photos — a printed A5 photo of family in a simple frame has an outsized positive effect on cabin atmosphere over a long contract.

Frequently asked questions

How much luggage can I bring on board?
Airlines allow typically 23–30 kg checked baggage on international seafarer tickets — check your joining letter. On board, storage is the real constraint: a standard cabin has one wardrobe, two drawers, a personal safe, and overhead lockers. Most experienced seafarers work within two medium suitcases (roughly 25–30 kg total) and a carry-on bag. Bulk items like sleeping bags and extra linen can usually be sourced on board or sent ahead by sea freight if the company arranges it.
Will the ship provide safety equipment like boots and helmets?
Companies are required under MLC 2006 Regulation 4.3 and SOLAS II-2/10 to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) without charge. In practice, many seafarers prefer their own safety boots for fit and comfort, particularly if working in a hot or cold climate. Check your joining instructions — some companies state whether PPE is issued or expected to be brought. Hard hats, hi-vis vests, and ear defenders are almost always provided by the vessel.
What documents do I absolutely need in my carry-on?
Passport (with all relevant visas), original STCW certificates (BST, GMDSS, AFF, PSCRB, ECDIS as applicable), seafarer's discharge book / Continuous Discharge Certificate, medical fitness certificate, yellow fever vaccination card if applicable, Seafarer Employment Agreement (or joining letter specifying terms), and the agent's contact details for your port of joining. Keep physical originals plus a cloud-stored scan of every document.
Is it worth bringing a laptop?
For most seafarers, yes. A laptop handles offline entertainment (films, ebooks, music), correspondence during WiFi windows, course-study materials, and ECDIS practice software for deck officers. Choose a model with a solid-state drive — rotating hard disks are damaged by vibration over long voyages. A 14" laptop in a padded case fits in most overhead lockers. See the internet-and-communication page for connectivity expectations.