I was hired through Libra for Polsteam. The salaries are good, especially for ratings on bulk carriers, and I paid no agency fees; after passing the CES test, I was approved and joined the vessel within four days. On board, the schedule is generally manageable, with work until 5 p.m. during passages, one and a half days off per week, and 6/6 watches in port. I received up to $2,100 as an OS and currently earn $2,400 as an AB, with additional payments for some cleaning and hold-cleaning jobs. Food has been excellent and the internet allowance was 2 GB. On one vessel, an electrician harassed our crew, but after we reported the issue through the proper channels, it was resolved quickly; the company can also provide career opportunities, including for cadets.
I am currently working through Libra for a shipowner whose vessels mainly employ Bangladeshi crew. The vessels are old and require substantial repairs, although career progression is fast. The company wants to replace some of the Bangladeshi crew with Ukrainian seafarers.
I worked through Libra on an offshore contract as an AB for three months. The pay was decent, no fees were charged, and I am going to work through them again under Polish management. I was also offered a bulk-carrier contract paying $2,150, which is very good for an AB. I recommend the company.
I am currently working through Libra on a vessel. The contracts are four months, salaries are paid, and there are days off.
I am currently in my second week on a bulk carrier through Libra and so far everything has been good. I signed the contract for the amount that was advertised, although I had not yet received a salary at that point.
I worked for the company under difficult circumstances with one unreasonable chief engineer who prevented my professional growth. On another vessel operated by the same company, I had a strong crew and was promoted. After I filed a complaint about the chief engineer, the company did not want to take me back, and I was not planning to return anyway.
I have worked with Libra since 2021. Recently, joining a vessel has become increasingly difficult: I have had to wait from one to two months after being ready, and sometimes even longer. The food allowance is limited, and food quality depends heavily on the cook; on some vessels it was poor. There are also many ratings-related staffing issues, while career progression depends largely on the senior officers. Working hours and days off vary by vessel and captain, with Saturday afternoon and Sunday usually being off, but some captains may require work without days off.
I am currently on a vessel of Polsteam, which I joined through Libra. They send crew members for free. I needed 8 OS sailors for May-June, and I have been communicating with ordinary crew members from other vessels of the company, all of whom joined through Libra.