What should we pack in our luggage before boarding the ship? How should we prepare? What extra work needs to be done beforehand?
To get a quick answer - I asked my new best friend chatgpt from AI - and it has a quite comprehensive answer below. I think AI has great potential to become seafarer’s good friend and as MagicPort, we will work hard to bring AI to seafarers.
As a seafarer embarking on a 3-month trip on an oil tanker, you’ll want to ensure you pack everything you need to stay comfortable and prepared for various situations. Here’s a list of items to consider packing for your journey:
- Clothing:
- Work clothes: Depending on your job role, this may include coveralls, boiler suits, or other appropriate attire. Make sure you have enough to last between laundry days.
- Casual clothes: Pack enough comfortable clothes for your time off-duty, including t-shirts, shorts, long-sleeve shirts, pants, and sleepwear.
- Undergarments and socks: Bring enough to last at least a week or two between laundry days.
- Weather-appropriate gear: Consider bringing a waterproof jacket, hat, gloves, and a warm sweater or fleece, as the weather can be unpredictable at sea.
- Footwear: Pack safety boots or work shoes, as well as comfortable off-duty shoes or sandals.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
- Hard hat
- Safety glasses or goggles
- Earplugs or earmuffs
- High visibility vest
- Work gloves
- Steel-toed boots (Note that some companies might provide PPE, so check with your employer beforehand.)
- Toiletries:
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash
- Deodorant
- Shaving supplies
- Hairbrush or comb
- Nail clippers
- Towel
- Any required medications or prescriptions
- Electronics:
- Smartphone and charger
- Universal power adapter
- Headphones or earbuds
- Laptop or tablet (if needed for work or leisure)
- External hard drive or USB stick with movies, TV shows, music, or e-books
- Documents and identification:
- Passport
- Seafarer’s Identification and Record Book
- Certificate of Competency (COC)
- Medical certificate
- Vaccination records (including any required COVID-19 vaccination documentation)
- Any other relevant licenses or certificates
- Emergency contact information
- Miscellaneous:
- Snacks and non-perishable food items
- Reusable water bottle
- Books, playing cards, or other forms of entertainment for downtime
- Travel pillow and eye mask for better sleep
- Sunglasses
- Small first aid kit
- Laundry bag
- Notebook and pen
Before you start packing, confirm any luggage restrictions and specific requirements with your employer, as different companies may have different policies. Additionally, remember to pack according to the weather conditions you may encounter during your trip.
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@furkan-zblbl, when packing for a maritime voyage, it’s important to consider the length of the voyage, weather conditions, and any specific requirements of your employer or the ship.
Some essential items to pack include clothes appropriate for the weather and duration of the voyage, personal hygiene items, medication and first-aid kit, entertainment, and necessary travel documents. It’s always a good idea to check with your employer or recruiter for any additional items or requirements specific to your voyage.
In addition to what is said above, here are some other things you can do in order to prepare:
- Familiarize yourself with the ship: Research the ship’s layout, facilities, and safety equipment, as well as any rules and regulations that apply.
- Training and certifications: Complete any required training or certifications before boarding, such as safety training or specialized courses related to your role on the ship.
- Financial arrangements: Make arrangements to manage your finances while at sea, such as setting up automatic bill payments or ensuring you have a reliable method for transferring money internationally.
- Communicate with family and friends: Let them know your itinerary and establish a communication plan for staying in touch while you’re away.
Hope this helps! You can also try the MagicPort seafarer app which I believe will allow your family & friends can track your location / what port you are at!
In addition to obvious stuff like proper clothing, personal hygiene items, documents and electronics, if you are going on a long journey, I would definitely pack some books, movies and other forms of entertainment and media since you won’t be able to get those things from the internet on the ship.