TIPS ON PRE-BOARDING PREPARATION CHECKLIST

A ship’s sea going voyage may take a cycle of between 3-9 months depending on the vessels operation and whether it is a foreign going vessel or a near coastal vessel.

Personally, the first two months of my maiden voyage was unpleasant because I didn’t pack up the necessary items I would require during my voyage. This ignorance on my side caused me depression. I rarely spoke to my fellow crew members because of loneliness. I didn’t carry an internet accessible phone. It was hell.

Before you climb up a ship’s gangway ladder; prepare yourself psychologically, emotionally and physical because it is going to be another fascinating world of its own. Different Religion, race, tribes, attitudes, characters, habits and so on all being contained in an enclosed structure called a ship. You could see it as a bomb waiting to explode. I assure you that with the right attitude to work and proper team work/communication, it will be one of the most memorable moment of your life.

I wouldn’t want you to feel half as sad as I was during my first voyage. In this article, I am going to state a few important things you should do before going onboard for the first time or during your subsequent voyages.

Remember, packing too much items can be a problem especially when you are being transported by an helicopter flight to your offshore installation.

1. DOCUMENTATION: Ensure to make at least two set of photocopies of all your documents. This will save you the stress of having to always present your original documents at the bridge. Also, your documents should be valid. Expiration of your documents may lead to termination of your contract as no ship owner would want to default with regard to the flag state authorities laws. Do not be careless with your documents because we both know the cost of acquiring them. Store them in a file holder to prevent it from tearing or getting wet.
2. ESTABLISH COMMUNICATION CHANNEL TO FAMILY/FRIENDS: The average contract offered to a sailor is usually 60 days while some may go for as long as nine (9) months. The time frame looks little but it spells discomfort and worry to your family who cannot reach you as a result of your negligence. Communicating with family and friends tend to boost your morale and reduces the likelihood of you getting moody and longing to go home. At sea, there is usually no network coverage. This means that calls cannot be put through to you from home via network providers. At this point, social networks come to play. Social networks like Facebook, WhatsApp, Imo, and Instagram can be a mode of communication. So take time and decide what channel of communication you wish to use.
   1. CARRY A DEBIT CARD/ CASH:The importance of money during your travels cannot be over emphasized. There wouldn’t be any mall or restaurants in your ship (unless it’s a cruise ship) where you would require to pay for services. This fact prevents sailors from carrying their debit cards or cash because they believe it’s a waste of time as they would be onboard for a while. This fact is also a misleading one. When a ship is berth at a jetty, you may require to replenish your personal supplies. Without any cash or means of cashless transaction, how would you do that? Most sailors tend to stroll into town when at the jetty, this eases tension and makes them happy. Without cash, you would be stranded and all alone at such circumstances.
3. GADGETS: Without a mobile phone, a sailor is just a bag of sadness. How would you communicate to your family? What link would you have with the outside world? Personally, I recommend you carry a mobile phone, an mp3 player, a laptop, head phones and if possible; game pads. These gadgets can ease tension and keep your minds excited. Truth be said, some voyages tend to be boring and strength draining. After a tough day, you could listen to your personal playlist to clear your mind. Gadgets are my personal favorites when packing and preparing for a voyage. My first voyage taught me that an item as little as a mobile phone can be the bridge between sanity and anxiety. Remember to carry universal chargers, extra batteries and headphones as back up.
4. MEDICINES/VITAMINS/ FIRST AID: Although drugs are provided onboard, we need to carry our personal medications. Vitamins keep your immune system active. You should know your body system as well as the ailments that frequently weigh you down. Personally, Malaria is my nemesis. Knowing that fact enables me to make provisions for my malaria drugs before boarding a ship. You should declare all drugs brought to a ship to the master of the vessel who will have it documented as well as give you advice regarding dosage. First aid items like plaster can come in handy. Ensure to carry pain killers as advised by a doctor.
5. CLOTHING: Before you pack up your suitcase, analyses the area in which your vessel will be navigating and operating. This will provide you with the weather condition analysis. The sea is usually cold so carrying gloves, coats, cardigans and head warmers would be a priority. Some seafarers carry epaulettes (with respect to their ranks onboard) and other Uniform wears. This is common among crew of foreign going vessels. Socks, underwear, shoes should also be packed. Do not be carried away while packing because there are usually limits to belongings carried onboard especially when you are being flown to the ship. I took plenty of clothes during my first voyage and ended up wearing just three pairs. What a waste of valuable space.
6. VACCINATION: The importance of vaccination cannot be over emphasized. Vaccinations like yellow fever can save your live especially when entering areas where it is prevalent. Get vaccinated before boarding a vessel.
7. TOILETRIES: Toiletries are articles used in taking care of one’s body. Body cream, soap, shampoo, tooth paste, tooth brush, facial cleanse, razor blade, comb, shaving sticks/cream, nail clippers, deodorant, towel, mouth wash, tampons/pads (lady care),conditioner, body wash. Do not rely on the free toiletries which will be supplied to you by the ship because you may not like the product and the quality may be a toss-up. Individuals with sensitive skins or temperamental hair may have side effects and reactions after using certain products, so I advise you to get products suitable for you. Furthermore, ensure to purchase enough toiletries so as to avoid running out of them. Imagine running out of your bathing soap barely a month into your contract. It’s going to be a stink war.
8. STATIONARIES: Pens, pencil, envelopes, writing implements and so on will come in handy.
9. BOOKS: Carry books onboard to keep your minds active and excited. These books could be novels or any other leisure book as well as curriculum related books. These books may provide you with knowledge which when coupled with the manuals onboard will make you a library.
10. SEWING KIT: Having torn coveralls is not uncommon. My coverall had got caught to the handrail which led to a gruesome tear. Wearing a new one doesn’t also give you a tear free protection. Get a sewing kit consisting of at least needles and threads. It would come in handy when the need arises.
11. SHAVING KIT: Months onboard will leave your hair untidy. With a shaving kit, you are sure to look tidy and more comfortable as hair usually cause itching.
12. A TORCH LIGHT: A torchlight may seem unimportant but it is actually a watch keeper’s companion. Ensure to carry a portable and intrinsically safe torch light. For a torch light to be intrinsically safe, it is known to be incapable of releasing sufficient electrical or thermal energy which may cause ignition.
13. MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS: A guitar, flute, harmonica and so on are examples of a musical instruments that can make your voyage fun, which is if you can play. You may carry it onboard to keep you busy and cheerful during leisure time but remember, adequate rest is key to sound health at sea. The instrument should be portable and light. Imagine carrying a piano weighing 91 – 545 kg with the intention of taking it onboard a vessel. I believe you’d probably be left at the jetty to play for the quay workers until your ship returns.
14. A CAMERA: You would get to see nice places since you would travel to various locations across the globe. You would also get to see marine creatures like whales, sharks, dolphins and so on. What better way to keep these memories other than taking pictures of it? Having pictures of such moments would help you during times of anxiety and you could also show your family back home. It would be like showing them the sea itself. Ensure to take pictures during your first voyage to avoid regrets later in the career. Record keeping is an essential aspect in a sailor’s career. A camera is actually not as important since a mobile phone can also take pictures. Although it comes handy if you wish to venture into marine journalism or marine photography. Personally, I am a marine photographer. You can view some of my works on my Instagram and Facebook page by clicking the icons.

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The above stated facts cannot be over emphasized. To avoid a boring voyage, follow my tips and thank me later.