One of the largest third-party ship managers, working since 1994, with over 600 vessels under management and more than 27,000 seafarers.
I worked for Fleet Management Limited on Gas Vision. They promised to pay me at the end of the contract, but in the end I had to fight to receive my money through an office representative. The company also charged USD 900 when I left. The conditions on the vessel were poor, including the food.
I worked on Gas Vision. My salary was delayed by three months, but otherwise everything was normal. The food was quite decent, although the internet allowance was limited and expensive. The gas carrier was old, but with the chief engineer's help we brought it into a workable condition during the contract. I also received an extra month's salary as a bonus.
I worked through Fleet Management Limited on a vessel currently named Gas Dior, formerly Solina Gas. My salary and crew change were handled properly, although there could be a small delay; I was not cheated, and the payment terms were stated in the contract. The cabins and TV rooms were good, the provisions were satisfactory, and alcohol was not available on board; breathalyzer tests were conducted every Saturday.
I spent my fourth month on Gas Leader. Salary was paid to my card on irregular dates and could be delayed; according to longer-serving crew members, it had sometimes arrived only at the end of a contract, although nobody was left unpaid. Supplies were sometimes insufficient, and I had to buy gloves in China with my own money, but the company later reimbursed expenses against receipts. The food was generally fine, while the vessel was in very poor condition; during a previous stay in China, a fire broke out on the forecastle, a pressure gauge was torn out, and 600 liters of oil were released under pressure.
Starting on gas carriers or a deadly ordeal? The recent explosion on the gas tanker Gas Leader, owned by an Iranian shipowner, highlighted the dangers faced by sailors on vessels transporting gas from Iran and other sanctioned countries. Many sailors describe the terrible conditions on board, issues with salary payments, lack of supplies, excessive alcohol on board, and inadequate crews. This well-known crewing agency, Fleet Grant, promises salaries and a start on the gas fleet but sends sailors to ships like Gas Leader for a commission. Be prepared for endless equipment failures, cargo leaks, and conflicts on board. As for the salary? You probably won't see it in this contract, as they need to keep people in the company. According to sailors: "Conditions are hellish. In Iran, it's 40 degrees on deck, in China, a series of accidents. One night, a propane pipe leaked, gas spilled on the deck, and the crew had to escape. The next morning, another pipe exploded. The mess in Mesrum is terrible — it's smoky, the furniture is worn out, and the crew consists of guards, cops, and drunks who think they are gods." "There are no supplies, the cabins are worn out. The bitts are rotten, and near the second tank, it smells of gas. The previous crew wasn't paid, even for the last contract." This accident shows the dangers sailors face and how the lack of safety rules and training on board leads to tragic results and casualties, as well as the types of ships the crew has to deal with. Is starting on the gas fleet worth it? Definitely not. But every sailor should draw their own conclusions.