AIS

It is becoming more common for countries to expect a boat to have its AIS receiver switched on if the boat carries one. In a few places (e.g. Singapore & Thailand) AIS is mandatory and would have to be hired if not already fitted.

Safety Equipment

As a minimum, a boat should be equipped with any safety and emergency equipment as required by their flag state for offshore cruising. In some countries, it is illegal to carry out of date flares (e.g. France).

Spares

Any spares (even standard engine and refrigeration spares) may not be easily available in other countries or may be available at greatly inflated prices. Stock up before departure and remember to ask joining crew members to bring out spares in their luggage.

Firearms

If firearms are carried, these should be licensed in the country of origin, as this license will be requested in many places.

Any firearms, ammunition, flare guns, spear guns or similar weapons on board must always be declared to Customs on arrival. They will often be removed and held in safekeeping until departure or, at a minimum, must be in a secure, sealed locker.

Adaptors

Make sure you have a wide range of power and water adaptors available, plus adaptors for re-filling your gas bottle.

A longer shore power cable is a really useful extra for all those times when the power bollard is just too far away (crowded marinas, on the hard, public quays, etc.)

Extra Kit

Investigate the advantages of a WiFi booster for accessing the internet at anchor and in marinas.

Identify how you are going to secure your valuable deck items such as dinghy, outboard etc. and purchase suitable cables, locks, and chains to prevent theft.