I worked through Yialos as an OS, and this was my second contract with them. The manager contacted me, asked me to provide scans and complete an application on the company website, and I boarded the vessel four days later. Everything was well organized, from the crewing service to the vessel and crew. I would definitely recommend the company; the salary level was good and above average.
I worked as an OS through Yialos and was very satisfied with the crewing service. They helped me arrange the required certificates and medical examination, and no joining fee was charged. I boarded a 2012-built Panamax bulker, where the accommodation and the vessel were in very good condition. Salaries were always paid on time, and there was more than enough food and supplies on board.
I worked two contracts through Yialos. They charged me $500 for joining the first vessel. The ship was in very poor condition, the food was unacceptable, and my salary was delayed twice by several months. Ordinary crew members regularly worked from 7:30 a.m. until 7–8 p.m., and sometimes longer.
Yialos persuaded me to join a vessel managed by Blue Planet, saying there would be future opportunities with this owner. The vessel was in extremely poor condition, and after two months on board I had to sign off because of its unsatisfactory condition. After leaving the vessel, I waited two months for the promised offers from Blue Planet but received no response. My experience with Yialos was disappointing.
I have been working with Yialos Manning Services for several years and I think it's a good crewing agency. I work on a Greek ship and the salaries are good. However, I have encountered some crew members who are not very skilled, which can be surprising. The staff is polite and always offers coffee, and they are willing to find out more information for you. I have experienced delays in joining, but I understand that it's not the agency's fault; they send requests to the company and get updates. The agency does not charge any fees, and I receive my salary promptly. Overall, there are pros and cons, but the work is stable and the pay is reliable.
I had a frustrating experience with Yialos Manning Services. I was contacted by a manager for a position on a decent-looking Panamax vessel, but after passing the medical exam and arriving at the office, I was told I would not be placed on that ship. Instead, they offered me an older vessel, and then another even older one, which was a bunker vessel from 1982. I ended up refusing the offer due to the poor condition of the ship and the misleading information I received. I later learned that a colleague had a similar experience with them.
I started my experience with Yialos Manning Services in March 2021 when I received a call from them regarding a vacancy on a bulk carrier. After a strange interview with the superintendent, I was informed that my original assignment was canceled and I was offered a different ship, which was in poor condition. Upon arrival, I found the vessel to be a rusty 200-meter ship with serious maintenance issues. The crew was unprofessional, and I quickly realized that I did not want to work there. I informed the captain of my decision to leave, and after some negotiation, I agreed to stay until we reached Las Palmas, where I was promised a flight home at the company's expense.