Crewing agency working with eleven shipowners on long-term contracts, supplying crew for oil and chemical tankers, VLCCs, container ships, bulk carriers and LPG carriers. Also has offices in Moldova, Georgia and Mumbai.
I called them about joining a vessel. They clearly told me that they required a commission, and in my case they wanted $500. I have never paid anyone for a job, so I refused their offer.
I contacted the agency when I was trying to get my first voyage. They found me an urgent chemical tanker placement within two or three days, but then asked for money in advance for a fake yellow fever vaccination certificate, additional certificates, and the voyage itself. The total amount was up to $1,000. I did not pay and did not proceed with them.
I joined an LPG vessel through YCrewing as a second officer for a start position, without an interview. The process was clear, with no tricks or misinformation, and I recommend them. The commission was to be paid from the first salary.
I sailed through YCrewing as a third officer. The vessel was in good condition, the crew was mixed, and the people on board were reasonable. On another placement, I joined in the position of second officer; the vessel was good, although the management was very strict. The agency also requested a fee for joining.
I signed a contract with them on November 5 and was eventually sent to an Arab company. They sent me a visa for the UAE three times, and only on January 10 did they send a new contract, after which I flew to the vessel. The process took much longer than expected.
I joined a container vessel as an ETO through YCrewing for a placement with Petra Shipping. The agency fee was agreed to be paid after I joined, and everything was fine regarding that arrangement. I later requested a two-month extension, but they sent a three-month extension instead. After I submitted my sign-off request on April 11, I still could not go home by May 26: the vessel had been in dry dock in China for nine and a half months, and the office did not resolve the relief problem. The vessel was not new but was in acceptable condition, and the crew was mixed.
I was offered a vacancy and agreed to it. After I had sent all the requested documents and spoken with them, they stopped answering my messages and calls the next day. When I called another number, they asked me to wait for a callback, but nobody contacted me. They also asked for 20% of the first salary.