12 Things Smart Sailors Do Before Boarding

12 Things Smart Sailors Do Before Boarding

If you’re a sailor who loves to travel and lives a carefree life, you don’t need to read this article. But if you’re a smart sailor who plans your life and that of your loved ones to ensure a safe voyage, then read on.

Sailors are the epitome of responsibility. They possess the skills and abilities to take care of themselves not only at sea, but also their loved ones on land.

Let’s be honest: caring for your family at sea can be challenging and stressful, but that’s exactly what makes sailors (at least those who do) smarter.

Read on to learn how to take care of the small but important things before boarding a ship and become a smarter sailor. Things you should do before joining a ship to be a responsible and smart seafarer.

1. Exchange contact information with your family

This is the simplest and most important thing a seafarer should do before boarding a ship. Share all your contact information with your family, including your email address and the ship’s phone number (calls are expensive, but always useful in an emergency).

Also, be sure to provide them with the appropriate contact information provided by the shipping company so your family can contact you in an emergency.

Also, when filling out your phone book, include the contact information for not only your parents and siblings, but also for your next of kin. This will be helpful if you are unable to contact your parents for unknown reasons.

Contact Information You Can Exchange

Personal email address
Ship email address (you may know this once you board the ship)
Ship phone number (for emergencies only)
Your phone number (if your ship has international roaming or a registered port number)
Crew member contact information (important)
Also, please provide the email addresses of your colleagues in case your account is unable to receive emails due to technical issues.

Note: Social media sites are not reliable for communicating with loved ones, especially in emergencies, so do not rely on them.

2. Share your bank account information with your family

Your family back home will need financial support while you are at sea. If you are a seafarer, you will have a National Retirement Account (NRE) account. Be sure to provide us with all your bank account information so that your loved ones can access the funds you transfer to your account. To make it easier for them, get a debit/ATM card and leave it at home for your family to use.

Bank Account Information to Share

Account Information
Debit/ATM Card
Checkbook
Online Banking Information

Note: Always have some signed blank checks handy in case of any problems with your debit card.

To make it easier for your family to check your bank account balance, register a mobile phone number with your bank to receive “text alerts,” and leave it with your family. This will make it easier for them to stay informed of your account balance and any unauthorized transactions.

Finally, make sure to only share your bank account information with people you trust.

3. Make Photocopies of Your Documents

This is something many seafarers tend to forget.

Make photocopies of all your official documents (from travel tickets to formal employment contracts), gather them, and keep them safe before traveling.

Seafarers must carry all original documents with them, so paper copies are an excellent backup in case they are lost or misplaced (although this is unacceptable).

Paper copies are also very useful if your family needs to deal with any legal proceedings or important documents related to you. They are also very useful in the event of an accident or other emergency.

Note: Make at least two copies of the original documents. Carry one copy with you when traveling, and keep it in a separate bag.

4. Carry a small notebook with you.

It may sound cliché, but carrying a small notebook to record all important information is one of the most recommended practices by experts. Be sure to write down all important contact information for your loved ones and company employees, in case your phone breaks or runs out of charge.

5. Carry an international credit/debit card

A credit card that can be used in any country is crucial for every seafarer. An international credit/debit card not only provides financial support but can also be of great help in emergencies. The captain is responsible for managing the crew’s wages, and each ship has limited cash reserves.

The captain only allows crew members to receive a portion of their wages in cash, with the remainder deposited directly into a bank account. Given this limitation, carrying an international credit/debit card is crucial.

6. Bring a change of clothes and a set of work clothes on board

Aircraft carry a large amount of luggage every day. Lost or misplaced luggage is common with airlines. To avoid lost luggage, pack a change of clothes and a set of work clothes in a separate bag that is easily accessible on board. This way, upon arrival on board, you can continue working until your luggage arrives.

Note: Please ensure all original and important documents are in your carry-on bag.

7. Review your employment contract on board the aircraft

Carefully review all boarding documents provided by your company to avoid any discrepancies during your trip.

It’s important to read the contract carefully before signing it, just as it is important to check all travel documents before embarking on your trip.

8. Carry Cash

Not all airlines provide crew members with cash advances to cover their airfares, so it’s crucial to carry cash (approximately $200 USD) in case of emergencies. Some countries charge transit fees (usually free for 72 hours, but fees apply thereafter), so bring cash in case you miss your flight.

You’ll also need cash for food, coffee, or phone calls, if necessary. $200 USD is the minimum amount you should carry. However, it’s important to note that travel costs are always higher than expected, so it’s recommended to plan your finances accordingly.

9. Understand Local Conditions and Laws

Every country has its own laws, and complying with them is crucial. For example, Singapore airports prohibit the importation of pirated DVDs, and the Gulf States prohibit the importation of adult films. These are lesser-known laws.

Therefore, be sure to check the relevant laws of the country you’re visiting to avoid trouble abroad.

10. Obtain medical insurance and receive necessary vaccinations

Personal medical insurance is essential when traveling in international waters. If an accident occurs and you are at fault, the shipping company may not cover all expenses. To ensure you have no problems receiving medical procedures, you must have up-to-date medical insurance.

Also, if you are taking any medication, make sure you take it before boarding the plane. If you need to carry medication, please bring the necessary prescription, as many countries do not allow medication without a prescription.

If you wear glasses, be sure to bring a spare pair with you on the flight. For safety, keep your glasses and eyeglasses separate in separate bags.

Also, make sure you have adequate insurance for your family and belongings.

11. Leave Valuables at Home

Leave items you don’t want to lose at home. When traveling or on a cruise, you are more likely to lose valuables. Items you should leave at home:

Valuable gifts from loved ones,
Jewelry of any kind,
Expensive accessories,
Social Security card, library card, club membership card, etc.
Any extra credit and debit cards

12. Travel Light

Last but not least, pack as little as possible when traveling. You’re not going on vacation or for leisure, just for business, so pack accordingly. There’s no need to carry unnecessary extra baggage.

Did you complete the above tasks before heading off to your new ship? Or did you do things differently, your own way, making you a smarter sailor?

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12 Things Smart Sailors Do Before Boarding