Starting your first ship assignment? Discover the 12 essential items every maritime cadet should carry onboard—from safety gear and reference books to personal essentials that make life at sea smoother. A complete guide for cadets preparing for their first voyage.
The First Step onto Deck
For a maritime cadet, stepping onboard a ship for the first time is both exciting and intimidating. The vessel is not only your workplace but also your home for months. Unlike most jobs ashore, you cannot simply walk into a store if you forget something.
Every year, thousands of cadets join ships worldwide as part of their STCW-mandated training (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping). The transition is a milestone: from classrooms and simulators to the real machinery, real bridge, and real responsibilities of seafaring life.
But what should you pack? Beyond uniforms, documents, and enthusiasm, certain items make a huge difference to both your performance and well-being onboard. This guide explores the top 12 things every maritime cadet should carry onboard, drawing on seafarers’ experiences, training manuals, and industry best practices.
Why Preparation Matters for Cadets
Seafaring demands resilience. Long contracts, multicultural crews, unpredictable weather, and demanding work schedules can test even the most prepared cadets. According to the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), over 1.89 million seafarers operate the world’s merchant fleet, with cadets forming the pipeline of future officers.
Cadets who arrive prepared—both mentally and materially—often adapt faster, learn more effectively, and leave a positive impression on their mentors. Simple items, like a notebook or a torch, can make the difference between confidence and confusion on night watch.
The Top 12 Things Every Cadet Should Carry
1. Essential Documents and Certificates
Before anything else, cadets must carry all mandatory documents:
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Passport and Seaman’s Book
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STCW Certificates (Basic Safety Training, Security Awareness, Medical First Aid)
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Medical Fitness Certificate (MLC 2006 requirement)
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Company-specific documents (joining letter, contract, training record book)
Without these, a cadet cannot legally board or work. Port State Control inspectors, flag states, and the ship’s Master will check them. Many cadets have faced last-minute delays due to missing or expired documents.
2. Training Record Book (TRB) and Reference Materials
The Training Record Book, often issued by maritime academies or administrations, is a cadet’s most important academic tool onboard. Officers will sign off tasks ranging from engine room watch-keeping to bridge manoeuvring observations.
Alongside the TRB, carrying compact reference guides helps:
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The American Practical Navigator (Bowditch)
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IMO Model Course notes
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Quick-reference pocketbooks on COLREGs, MARPOL, and SOLAS
A cadet who shows initiative by studying and asking informed questions earns respect quickly.
3. Proper Workwear and PPE Add-ons
While ships provide standard Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)—helmets, safety shoes, gloves—cadets often benefit from bringing extras:
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High-quality coveralls (with extra pockets for tools and pens)
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Comfortable work gloves suitable for both deck and engine tasks
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A durable headlamp for hands-free work during inspections
A Chief Engineer once remarked that cadets with their own decent headlamps “learn twice as fast,” because they could see and record details even in poorly lit machinery spaces.
4. A Reliable Torch and Batteries 🔦
Every experienced seafarer will tell you: never trust ship lighting alone. Engine rooms, ballast tanks, and cargo holds often have dark corners. A cadet carrying a reliable, explosion-proof torch gains both independence and credibility.
It is not just about convenience—safety investigations by the MAIB have shown that poor lighting contributed to accidents during night inspections.
5. Stationery and Notebooks
Learning onboard is not passive. From recording engine readings to sketching out safety systems, cadets must constantly write. Ships may provide some logbooks, but having personal notebooks—preferably waterproof or oil-resistant—makes a difference.
A useful practice: keep two notebooks. One for formal entries and another for personal reflections. Years later, many officers look back at their cadet journals as treasured records of their first voyages.
6. A Wristwatch with Stopwatch Function ⏱️
Time is the heartbeat of a ship. Whether taking bridge bearings, monitoring engine timings, or conducting lifeboat drills, cadets must measure time precisely. A durable, waterproof wristwatch with a stopwatch or chronometer function is invaluable.
The STCW Code emphasises timekeeping during watchkeeping assessments, and cadets who show punctuality quickly gain trust.
7. Laptops, Tablets, and Offline Learning Resources
Most modern ships have some level of internet connectivity, but bandwidth is often limited. Cadets should preload their devices with:
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E-books on marine engineering and navigation
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IMO conventions (SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW) in PDF
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Simulation software or training apps (offline versions)
Digital self-study shows initiative, especially during long sea passages. Many cadets also use laptops for completing TRB reports and sending scanned copies back to their academies.
8. Personal Hygiene and Health Essentials
Living in close quarters with an international crew demands discipline in hygiene. Beyond basic toiletries, cadets should carry:
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A small first aid kit (plasters, antiseptics, seasickness tablets)
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High-SPF sunscreen (deck cadets are exposed for hours)
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Extra prescription medicines, with doctor’s note
The ILO Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006) requires ships to carry medical supplies, but personal kits ensure immediate comfort.
9. Portable Hard Drive or USB for Data Storage
Cadets often need to collect manuals, safety circulars, and ship-specific data for their training reports. A portable hard drive or encrypted USB ensures they can back up important files without relying on ship systems.
With cyber-security now a key IMO concern (Resolution MSC.428(98)), cadets must also learn safe data practices, such as avoiding infected drives.
10. Cultural Adaptability Tools
A cadet joins a multicultural crew—Filipinos, Indians, Greeks, Chinese, Romanians, Nigerians, and more. Simple gestures of respect matter. Carrying:
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A small phrasebook or translation app
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Snacks or souvenirs from home country (to share at mess)
This builds rapport quickly. The ITF and ISWAN stress that mental well-being at sea is closely tied to positive social integration.
11. Personal Comfort Items
Long contracts mean missing home comforts. Small items help reduce homesickness:
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A photo album or letters from family
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Lightweight sports gear (resistance bands, skipping rope)
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Earplugs and eye masks for noisy accommodation
One cadet recalled: “My chessboard became a bridge to friendship with the Chief Officer. It was more than a game—it was my survival kit for loneliness.”
12. A Positive Attitude and Willingness to Learn
Though not something that fits in a suitcase, this is perhaps the most valuable item. Officers often say: “We can teach skills, but not attitude.”
Cadets who show curiosity, humility, and persistence leave strong impressions. In an industry where cadets often compete for sponsorships and permanent officer contracts, attitude can outweigh technical competence in the early days.
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Real-World Applications: Stories from the Sea
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Case Study 1 – The Torch that Prevented a Spill: An engine cadet noticed oil leakage during a night round only because he had his own headlamp. The quick report prevented a machinery space spill.
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Case Study 2 – The Notebook that Became Evidence: A deck cadet’s notes of hourly compass errors were later used by the Chief Officer during a Port State Control inspection, demonstrating compliance.
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Case Study 3 – The Missing Documents Nightmare: A cadet without a valid medical certificate was denied boarding in Singapore, delaying the ship’s departure. The cost of his oversight? Thousands of dollars in port charges.
Challenges Cadets Face in Packing and Preparation
Limited Baggage Allowance
Airline restrictions often clash with long packing lists. Cadets must prioritise essentials.
Balancing Company-Provided Gear with Personal Add-ons
While PPE is supplied, the quality and comfort vary. Cadets who bring personal upgrades often feel safer and more confident.
Digital vs. Paper Resources
Some prefer traditional books, but weight matters. The solution: preload e-books, but keep at least one physical pocket guide.
Future Outlook: The Next Generation of Cadet Essentials
As ships become “smarter,” cadets may soon carry:
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Wearable smart devices for safety tracking
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AR-enabled glasses for machinery identification
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Digital TRBs linked directly to academies
Already, pilot projects by DNV and Wärtsilä Voyage suggest cadet training may increasingly involve real-time data transfer, reshaping what cadets must pack for their first voyage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do ships provide all PPE to cadets?
Yes, but personal gear like gloves and headlamps can improve safety and comfort.
Can cadets carry mobile phones onboard?
Yes, but usage is often restricted during working hours. Internet access may be limited.
What happens if a cadet forgets important documents?
They may be denied boarding. Always double-check with the company before travel.
Should cadets bring paper charts or only digital books?
Paper pocket guides are useful, but digital resources reduce weight. A balance is best.
Is attitude really as important as equipment?
Yes. Officers consistently rank willingness to learn and adaptability above tools in cadet evaluations.
Conclusion: Preparedness Is the First Lesson of Seamanship
Packing for a cadetship is more than filling a bag. It is a ritual of transition—from student to professional, from shore to sea. The 12 essentials outlined here—documents, notebooks, torches, learning tools, comfort items, and above all, attitude—are not luxuries. They are lifelines for safety, learning, and adaptation at sea.
For cadets about to embark: remember that preparation is your first act of seamanship. It shows respect for the profession, for the ship, and for yourself. The ocean rewards those who arrive ready. ⚓
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