Embarkation

Embarkation is the act of boarding a vessel or vehicle, such as a ship, boat, aircraft, or spacecraft, for the start of a voyage or mission. It commonly involves preparation of passenger and cargo manifests, verification of travel documents, and safety and security procedures. The term contrasts with debarkation, the process of leaving the vehicle at the end of a journey. Etymology traces to Old French embraquer, from em- "in" plus barque "boat".

Maritime embarkation occurs when passengers and crew are checked in at the port of departure, pass through immigration and customs if required, stow baggage, and attend safety briefings. In cruise ships and ferries, muster stations and life jacket demonstrations are common. Aviation embarkation refers to boarding an aircraft; passengers go through check-in, security screening, boarding gates, and cabin seating; crew briefings and safety demonstrations are conducted prior to departure. Spaceflight embarkation is used for crew and sometimes passengers enacting flight readiness before launch, often involving stringent health, training, and safety checks. In tourism and logistics, embarkation also covers the loading of goods and the formal transfer at the point of departure.

Procedures are governed by international and national regulations, such as SOLAS and immigration laws, and vary by country, vessel type, and operator. Modern systems rely on electronic passports, manifests, and boarding passes, with security controls and inventory management for both people and cargo.