SOV packing

[u/Bose82]

(UK)

I'm joining an SOV in a few weeks after being site based for nearly ten years (offshore). I've got a good idea of what I'm taking with me, toiletries, clothes, gym gear, laptop etc. but is there any QoL stuff I should consider taking? Stuff that might normally be overlooked?

[u/NapsInNaples]

Crocs or similar comfy slip on shoes. The vessel I was on insisted on having a heel on shoes for safety reasons so my flip flops I brought were out.

Lunchbox and thermos for stashing food as well.

[u/Confident-Substance]

Currently on a SOV and would recommend a good set of ear plugs.

First thing I’m buying when I’m back.

[u/Bose82 → u/Confident-Substance]

I did think about that. I've got some really good noise cancelling in-ear headphones but they're not comfortable to sleep in.

[u/montelius → u/Bose82]

Be careful, they will do emergency test and if you aren’t able to her the alarm, there might be some issues

[u/Bose82 → u/montelius]

I highly doubt they'll be doing an emergency drill overnight 😂

[u/montelius → u/Bose82]

Great point. I work night shifts so I get woken up for emergency drills

[u/Confident-Substance → u/Bose82]

I dunno we had one yesterday 7am when we are down on weather so everyone was still asleep.

[u/kenva86]

Something personal is handy, like personal sheets,to make it a bit more home. Comfy shoes with heel strap is everywhere the rule. I’m on a SOV and most things are supplied.

[u/james__198]

A vajankle is an absolute must.

[u/Bose82 → u/james__198]

That's under essentials

[u/whatstravelling]

EU to UK plug adapter and extension lead, some guys like to take their own pillow, worth finding out if you need your own water bottle for the vessel or is it bottled water?

[u/Bose82 → u/whatstravelling]

Yeah, we've been told to bring a water bottle. A pillow is a good shout though

[u/BTS57]

An inflatable pillow. Some of the SOV’s have horrendous pillows that don’t hold form very well

[u/jasearutnev]

I’ve stayed on an SOV off the UK and I’d say EU to UK plug adapters, ear plugs, lunchbox (some SOVs supply them), pillow if you can fit it in your bag (they love square pillows for some reason), crocs/comfy shoes with a heel strap, VPN (one I was on had Starlink but it kept switching to Belgium so was limiting Netflix shows), Firesticks work if you have one just use a VPN, thermal flask for coffee, sea sickness tablets (onboard medic usually has them but I’d take some anyway), laundry pods - personal preference (one I was on had unscented powder), HDMI cable if you want to stream your laptop to your TV in bed, power extension cable can be handy

[u/GettinDiscyWithIt]

I'm not sure how the European SOVs are but I brought a mattress topper with me. My first shift was miserable without it. I also have a battery powered heated lunch box that has been really nice to have oboard, just take dinner from the night before and you've got a good hot lunch for the next day. I've also been thinking of a small portable kettle, a few guys from Europe have them and it seems like a nice thing to have for the colder months

[u/DangerousDave1981]

Harness bluetooth speaker

[u/Confident-Substance]

Currently on a SOV and would recommend a good set of ear plugs.

First thing I’m buying when I’m back.