I dealt with the agency and was treated honestly. I received what had been stated, with no hidden conditions. The salaries were average or slightly below average, and a commission was charged. In my experience, the agency also helped candidates start in the industry and move into higher positions.
I joined a small vessel through the agency in December 2023 as a third officer. The pay and duties were almost exactly as promised: $1,300 plus port-entry and basic-per-day allowances. I worked for four months and one week, although I had been told I could stay as long as I had the strength and patience. The agency charged a $500 commission; they later offered me a second officer position on a larger bulk carrier for a $1,500 commission and a salary of $2,200, but I declined.
I contacted the agency about a master position advertised as an immediate start. They told me I needed a valid seaman's book and a medical examination, and said they would check me against a database. After finding me in the database, they said they could not hire me as a master, and the chief officer vacancy they had advertised was suddenly unavailable. This made me suspect that the vacancy was being used to attract candidates for medical examinations and seaman's books.