Last-mile LPG and petrochemical gas carrier operator: 47 pressurised, semi-refrigerated and ethylene vessels; offices in Singapore, Copenhagen, Manila and Tokyo.
I sailed as Chief Engineer on one of the legacy small-tonnage vessels. What I found was direct discharge of machinery-space bilges overboard, against MARPOL and against everything a chief engineer signs his name to. I refused to continue, involved the ITF, and left the vessel early. From what I saw and heard across the fleet the practice was not unique to my ship — one fleet vessel was caught for exactly this in the Mediterranean. I have since warned colleagues off, and those who listened found better contracts elsewhere.
I came from another LPG owner where a soft drink appeared once a fortnight, and had been warned this company was rock bottom. The opposite: fridges full of cheese and cold cuts, yoghurts and soft drinks at will, shrimp weekly, a buffet Saturday. The one thing holding the place back is salary — raise it and the turnover would stop.