Packing Your Suitcase for a Contract: Essential Items You'll Need at Sea

Hey everyone! This is especially useful for cadets and those going on their first voyage. Newcomers often pack tons of unnecessary stuff but forget the basics. Here's my top list:

1) Your own comfortable work shoes (you'll curse everything in those stiff issued boots by the second day of your watch);
2) Medications (there's a hospital on board, but keep basic stomach pills, cold medicine, bandages, and any specific medications you take in your cabin);
3) Hard drive loaded with films and TV series (you need an offline stash);
4) A good multi-tool or folding knife;
5) Several pairs of quality cotton socks and thermal underwear for northern latitudes.

Add yours: what "secret" item do you always have in your suitcase?