I had a similar experience when I was being considered for a tanker position. The crewing agency kept delaying the departure, and I eventually found out from people on board that the crew had already been changed and Georgian seafarers had joined the vessel. The agency did not inform me and remained silent until I contacted them myself.
I completed a contract as a rating on a tanker through this crewing agency. They helped me during the interview and handled all the documents. The attitude toward the seafarer was good, and although there was a commission, it was not large.
The agency called me and offered a voyage, but then kept delaying it for one or two months. I ultimately did not leave and lost my time. I later found out that the crew on the vessel had already been changed, although the agency kept telling me that everything was fine and that the change would happen the following week.
I worked through this crewing agency on a bunker vessel. The vessels were in poor condition, and the agency delayed my departure. I would not recommend working with them.
The agency called me about a tanker position and then assigned an agency fee. When I said that I did not want to pay anything, they responded rudely and hung up the phone.
I was offered positions on a Cape-size vessel and later on another tanker, but the agency could not provide the promised jobs. They either failed to do what they promised or made mistakes in the documents, and they kept me waiting for a week. I was also charged a fee of 1,500 for arranging my departure, so I eventually contacted the owner directly.
I have been working for this crewing agency on a tanker since the beginning of 2024. The salary was increased for all crew members last month. However, the agency charges a commission and delays departure until the last possible day; I also had to obtain a risk assessment certificate.
I was offered a chief officer position on a bunker tanker or bitumen tanker. The recruitment process was started, and I completed an interview with the Greek representatives. I was told I would leave the following month, but after a month and a half nobody answered my messages or calls.
They do not fulfill their promises and keep making excuses. A lot of hidden and additional payments come up during their so-called work. They push unnecessary certificates on you, which they offer to arrange themselves.