First Contract at Sea? What to Pack for Life Onboard

Three months? Four? Five? Six? Your first contract can sound like a very long time when you are standing in front of an empty suitcase. But you are packing for a ship with laundry arrangements, not disappearing into the wilderness with 180 clean T-shirts.

Wondering what to pack for your first contract at sea? This practical seafarer packing list covers clothes, footwear, toiletries and everyday essentials for life onboard. It is mainly for cadets joining oceangoing merchant ships: tankers, gas carriers, bulk carriers and container ships. It is for everyone, regardless of gender. Cruise ships and other vessel types may have different uniform and equipment requirements.

We already covered airports, baggage allowances and travel documents. Now let us decide what actually belongs inside the bags.

1. Clothes for life onboard: enough for a rotation

On many cargo ships, most working hours will be spent in approved coveralls or other workwear. Your own clothes are mainly for travel, accommodation areas and time off duty. Choose comfortable basics that wash easily.

These numbers are packing suggestions, not rules. Use your laundry access, climate, personal needs and baggage allowance to adjust them. A longer contract mainly changes your replacement and resupply planning; it does not mean doubling your wardrobe.

• 2–3 pairs of casual trousers: comfortable trousers or joggers; one pair of jeans is usually plenty.
• 1–2 pairs of shorts: for permitted off-duty use in warm weather.
• 2 sets of sleepwear: one to wear while the other is being washed.
• 1 presentable outfit: for travel, shore visits or company expectations.
• 1–2 warm layers: a sweatshirt, fleece or similar practical clothing.
• 1 jacket or rain jacket: chosen for the expected weather. Joining and signing off may happen in different seasons.
• Thermal layers and a warm hat, if the route needs them: confirm the protective clothing supplied onboard.
• 1 swimsuit, if useful: some ships have a pool, but availability and permission to use it are not guaranteed.

Choose socks that fit comfortably inside your work boots. Pack enough to change when needed and let washed pairs dry fully. Expensive outdoor clothing is optional; clean, practical clothing you already own is a good starting point.

2. Safety footwear and everyday shoes

• 1–2 pairs of comfortable, closed everyday shoes: trainers or similar suitable footwear for travel and permitted onboard use.
• Approved safety footwear: confirm what the company provides and what specification applies before buying a personal pair.
• Simple shower footwear, if wanted: for appropriate bathroom or accommodation use, not working areas.

If you can afford personal safety boots, seek company approval first. Under EN ISO 20345, S2 includes protective toe caps and water-resistant uppers; S3 adds sole penetration protection and a treaded outsole. Newer categories include S3L and S3S. No single category is automatically the correct minimum for every vessel or task.

Check the required slip resistance, antistatic properties and any quick-release requirement separately. A toe cap can be steel or an approved non-metallic material. Good fit and the correct protection matter more than a dramatic price tag.

3. Workwear and uniforms: do not buy the ship’s wardrobe

Required workwear and PPE are normally arranged by the company. Confirm sizes, what will be issued and when. Do not assume you need to purchase coveralls, helmets or gloves yourself.

For oceangoing cargo ships, your academy uniform is often unnecessary unless the company asks for it. Cruise-ship uniforms can be supplied, fitted onboard or required before joining, depending on the employer and role. Follow your joining instructions.

4. Toiletries and personal hygiene at sea

Bring a starter supply and enough of any specific product you rely on. Some ships stock basics in the crew shop or bonded store, but supplies, brands and prices vary. Ask rather than assuming a floating supermarket awaits.

• Toothbrush, toothpaste and dental-care essentials.
• Your shampoo and body wash: small bottles, a suitable solid shampoo and soap bar, or purpose-made washing sheets.
• Deodorant and a small perfume or cologne, if used: your cabin does not need a duty-free fragrance department.
• Shaving supplies, if used: razor, replacement blades and a small shaving product.
• Comb or hairbrush, hair ties and your usual grooming items.
• Nail clippers and basic nail-care items.
• Your usual face cleanser, moisturiser and other personal-care essentials.
• Broad-spectrum sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher: follow the label and reapply as directed, especially after heavy sweating.
• One personal towel, if wanted: confirm supplied towels and bedding before packing extras.

Soap sheets and suitable powder products can reduce leaks and weight, but are optional. Use products intended for hair, skin or laundry as labelled. Ordinary dry shampoo does not replace washing. Keep sheets dry and protect bottles in a leak-resistant pouch. Check airport rules for liquids, powders, blades and aerosols.

5. Laundry: a bag, a plan and no sock mountain

A washable laundry bag is useful. A dry bag you already own can also carry dirty clothes to the laundry or an approved washing bucket, but do not leave damp items sealed inside it for days. Separate wet items and let them dry as permitted. Otherwise you are packing a smell with its own career ambitions.

If you prefer hand-washing underwear or small items, bring a small amount of suitable detergent: powder, laundry soap or sheets labelled for hand washing. Tablets are suitable only if their instructions explicitly allow it; machine capsules are not a substitute.

Hand-wash in your cabin bathroom only where permitted, following care labels and using an approved drying arrangement. The ship’s laundry is also a normal option. Keep contaminated workwear separate according to onboard procedures. Never dry clothing over heaters, electrical fittings or ventilation openings.

A simple reusable bag is enough if a dry bag is outside your budget. Laundry organisation does not require premium equipment.

6. Stationery: arrive with something to write with

The ship will usually have supplies, but bringing a few basics means you can start taking notes immediately.

• 1 small notebook.
• 2–3 pens.
• 1–2 pencils, an eraser and a small sharpener.
• A small ruler or highlighter, if useful.
• Your academy’s required training record book or documents.

Your notebook is for learning, questions and reminders. Official records still belong in the required forms and systems. “I wrote it somewhere on a loose receipt” is not a filing method.

7. A small personal health kit

The vessel has medical arrangements, but plan your personal needs before joining. A compact kit might include a few adhesive dressings, blister dressings, sterile gauze and any personal medicines agreed with your clinician or pharmacist. Check company and destination rules; keep medicines in original labelled packaging with supporting documents where required.

• Motion-sickness medicine, if needed: discuss the appropriate product and supply beforehand. Products such as Dramamine may cause drowsiness, which matters on watch and around machinery. Follow professional advice and tell the responsible officer before taking anything that may affect alertness. Bring an agreed supply, not a suitcase of tablets.
• Electrolyte or rehydration sachets, if advised: useful in appropriate circumstances, not a cure for overheating. Follow product and professional instructions. Regular hydration, breaks and the ship’s heat procedures remain essential.
• Your regular prescription medicines: arrange the quantity and storage needed for the contract. Do not assume the ship’s medical chest carries your personal prescription.

8. Small comforts and useful extras

• A book or downloaded reading: useful when internet access is limited.
• A family photo or small keepsake: your cabin can feel personal without an interior-design shipment.
• A reusable water bottle, if available: follow onboard water and cleaning arrangements.
• One buff or neck gaiter, if useful: secure, suitable for its purpose and compatible with required PPE. Avoid loose clothing around machinery.
• UV-protective sunglasses: for suitable use; they do not replace required safety eyewear.
• Your phone, chargers and a suitable adapter: check voltage and sockets. A plug adapter does not necessarily convert voltage.
• Spare prescription glasses, if available, and your usual contact-lens supplies if used.
• A luggage tracker, if affordable: an AirTag or a compatible alternative may help locate a bag. Check phone compatibility and airline rules; updates can lag and do not replace an airline baggage report.

Add anything personally important that is permitted, compact and useful. You do not need to buy every optional extra on this list.

9. Packing the suitcase without sitting on it

• Lay everything out first. Remove duplicates and most “just in case” outfits.
• Roll or fold clothes into groups. Ordinary reusable bags work; packing cubes are optional.
• Bag shoes separately and protect toiletries against leaks.
• Use spare space inside clean shoes for bagged socks or small soft items.
• Share essential clothes between two cases if using two, and keep a change in your backpack.
• Weigh each bag. Check your ticket’s total allowance, permitted number of bags and limits per piece.
• Keep a jacket accessible for travel, especially if joining and signing off in different climates or seasons.

Keep digital document backups organised in Wave – The Seafarers’ Digital Wallet. Check offline access before leaving. Your suitcase may take an unexpected holiday; your papers should not join it. Digital backups help, but required originals still travel with you.

Final check: useful, affordable, approved

Clothes you will wear. Shoes that fit. Toiletries you use. A notebook that will actually leave the drawer. Approved personal medicines and your documents close by.

Use what you own, confirm what the ship provides and leave some room. Your first contract is a learning experience, not a competition to transport the largest percentage of your bedroom.

References: footwear categories, HSE footwear selection, travel soap sheets, sun protection, motion sickness, heat and hydration, travelling with medicines and IATA baggage guidance. Quantities are practical suggestions. Company instructions and vessel procedures take priority; medicine selection requires individual professional advice.