Knowing what to bring with you on a journey is a challenge no matter where you’re going. In the maritime industry it’s even tougher because once you’re on that boat or ship, you might not be able to get off to go to the store and pick up things you forgot. Planning ahead is crucial, but so is knowing what you need and where to get it. One of the problems I continually run into is that the gear that I need for work can’t always be easily found in a store near where I live. The internet is your friend in such cases.
The bag
First off, you need to figure out what to put all your gear in. I have a large duffel bag to keep all my sea-going stuff in. It’s easier to store an empty duffel on a boat than it is to stash a hard-sided suitcase. But you want a duffel that can stand up to being dragged across non-skid decks, thrown into crane baskets, and otherwise moved around on and between boats. Don’t go for any old gym bag type duffel - it will most likely get trashed. I’ve had good luck with the ones from Cabela’s. I’d also recommend getting one in an uncommon color or pattern – just so it’s easier to keep track of on crew change day.
If you’re sailing internationally, a hard-sided suitcase might be a better option to protect against the wear-and-tear of overseas air travel. Also, invest in some baggage locks, and maybe a baggage tracker (a small GPS unit you put in your bag, which pairs with an app for your smartphone so you can track where your bag is in case it gets lost).
As far as size goes, I find it’s better to have two medium-sized bags rather than one large one. This helps with airline stuff – the really heavy bags sometimes don’t make it onto the plane because of weight restrictions, and it makes crew change day easier if you and your shipmates don’t have to lug around really heavy bags. I live by the rule of “if I can’t fit in in the bag, I probably don’t need it. And if I need it, I’ll find a way to fit it in the bag.” The most important stuff goes in first, and then the less-essential things. This is where making a packing list is very important – you don’t want to fill up your bag then realize you forgot to put your boots in there. If I have room for one more book, or that little teddy bear my husband gave me years ago, then it gets squished in last.
The basics
The stuff you use every day is sometimes the easiest to forget, simply because you aren’t thinking about it. I once made it to a boat with two pairs of socks, counting the ones I had on. Here’s a list of the basic stuff I keep in my bag at all times:
A week’s worth of work clothes: shirts, pants, underthings, socks, and a belt if you need one.
A set of “go home clothes”: these are the clothes that I don’t allow myself to wear at work, lest they get dirty or smelling of diesel, so I have a set of clean clothes to wear on the long plane ride home.
A set of pajamas: these are a bit different from the pajamas I would wear at home. On the boat it’s a shirt and pair of yoga pants that would allow me to be up and out the door in about 30 seconds in case of an emergency.
A set of cold weather clothes: A thermal top and bottom to go under my regular clothes in the winter, a fleece jacket for on top, and some extra-thick socks and a fleece hat. Obviously I work in a cold climate, and would not bring this stuff if I worked in warmer places.
Toiletry bag: I've got a little waterproof zip-top bag that I use for my toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, lotion, razor, hair brush, shampoo, nail clippers, and mouthwash. Space saver tip: buy the 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner stuff so you only have to pack one bottle instead of two. Travel sized bottles of things like lotion help save space. Also, pack a hitch’s worth of tampons/pads/whatever you use, because there is nothing more embarrassing than running out of that stuff. Oh, and hair ties. Get some quality hair elastics (Goody brand is my favorite) and get a bunch of them. I have a small baggie with probably 100 hair ties in it, plus a few clips and bobby pins for extra windy days. I hate working with my hair in my face, so that all helps.
Footwear: I have a pair of steel-toed work boots (a requirement on any ship), a pair of flip-flops (shower shoes), a pair of “inside” shoes (sneakers, or a pair of leather slip-on/hush puppy-type shoes also works), and a pair of rain boots.
Rain gear: I have a set of good quality rain pants and a jacket. The kind of rain gear you want will depend on where you’re working. I’ve had the same set of Grundens for about 15 years – and they have served me well. However, if you are working in warmer climes, you will probably want something less heavy that will keep you dry without making you sweat.
Safety gear
Most companies will provide you with basic safety gear (hard hat, pfd, safety glasses, gloves, etc), but there are a few things you may want to bring with you. Your employer will probably provide a life jacket-style pfd or work vest, but in colder climates this is not the most practical thing for working outside.
A float coat is ideal for being outside in extreme cold weather. For working in warmer areas, you might want to look into getting a self-inflating pfd (assuming the company you work for allows them), which allows you to move more freely, and sweat less.
I also bring two good-quality pocket knives (a small one for everyday use, and a meatier one for bigger jobs like working on lines), a small pocket flashlight (LED is ideal), and a couple pairs of gloves I like. I have dainty little hands and the gloves provided by the company I work for tend to run kind of large, so I invest in my own gloves, because it’s worth it to me to have a pair that fit well (the kind with the Velcro around the wrist are great!)
A good idea but not essential
A “bug out bag” container: This would be a small container or bag that contains everything you’d need to take with you in an emergency – as in “we need to get off this boat right now.” It should contain a few days’ worth of any medication you take, your driver’s license and/or passport, space for your cell phone, personal hygiene supplies, and anything else you might need. Mine also has my wedding ring in it, as I don’t wear it on the boat. This bag should be somewhat small so it can fit into your survival suit with you or be thrown into a life raft.
Glasses: if you wear glasses, take at least two pairs with you. You never know when your primary pair might go missing, and it’s always nice to have a backup. You might also want to get a pair of prescription sunglasses. I did so a few years back and it has made a huge difference during sunny day watches.
Towel and Sheets: I bring my own bath towel (it’s enormous and has happy green sea turtles on it!) and a set of flannel sheets. Most companies will provide basic linens for you, but I prefer to bring my own because they provide that added comfort. I know guys who also bring their own egg crate or memory foam mattress pad, but I don’t have room for that in my bag.
Sunscreen/Bug spray: if you’re working in a very sunny place and you’ll be out on deck a lot – bring some sunscreen, preferably the kind that is waterproof. You’ll get sunburnt faster on the water than on land – because the sun reflects off the water, so you're getting it from two different directions. If you’re working in a buggy place, like on a river or in the Gulf of Mexico or Alaska in the summer, you might want to invest in some bug spray, too. It’s possible the boat will already have these things on board, but if you bring your own you can get the kind that works best for your skin, etc.
Other stuff
Hobbies: You’ll probably have some down time on the boat, and it’s nice to have a way to relax. If you have a hobby that doesn’t take up too much space or make a bunch of noise, pack enough to keep you occupied for your hitch. This could be reading, knitting, writing, watching movies/tv, drawing, or what have you. I’d advise against bringing anything that requires big, bulky equipment or supplies, or anything that has to be transported delicately. Musical instruments are a bit of a grey area – historically you’d always find an instrument or two on a ship, but on boats with smaller spaces and the fact that there’s always someone trying to sleep, you may want to leave your xylophone at home. Some boats are friendlier than others about that, though.
Water bottle/coffee mug: I have a 32-oz screw-top water bottle that I carry around with me everywhere. It’s important to stay hydrated when you’re working, and having water with me prevents me from drinking less healthy stuff like soda. I personally don’t bring a coffee mug, mainly because I don’t drink coffee, but plenty of other people do. Your best bet is the “travel” mug style with a lid that closes to prevent spills.
I also carry a couple little notebooks that fit into my pocket; I use them to make notes throughout the work day.
I pack a little treat or two for myself (something like a small bar of really good chocolate), because every now and then you just need a little pick-me-up, right?
So there you have a pretty good idea of what I bring with me. It took me a while to get it down, and to finally come to terms with the idea that I need to make checklists for these things. It’s easy to be overwhelmed by packing for your first hitch. Just remember: the longer you go to sea, the easier it becomes to figure out what to bring with you and how much you need. And in a few years, you’ll think back to what a frazzled mess you were trying to get everything in order for that first trip, and you’ll realize how much you’ve learned since then... and then also wonder if you remembered to bring your hairbrush with you.
Not that I’ve ever shown up to work without my hairbrush.