The agency you sail through shapes your whole career — timely joining, correct wages, and support if something goes wrong. Choosing well is as important as the contract itself. Here is how to tell a solid crewing agency from a risky one.
Signs of a reliable agency
- A real presence. A working website, a physical office and a company registration you can check.
- Clear, written terms. The salary, contract length, rotation and joining port are stated up front — not "we'll discuss it later".
- No fees from you. A legitimate agency is paid by the shipowner and never charges the seafarer.
- Reputation. Other seafarers know the name and speak about it. Ask around in crew communities.
- Named vessels and owners. They can tell you which principal and which ships you would sail on.
Warning signs
- Requests to pay for registration, a medical, a visa or "processing".
- A salary far above the market for the rank and vessel.
- Contact only through a free email or messenger, with no verifiable company.
- Vague or shifting contract terms, or pressure to sign immediately.
Questions worth asking before you commit
- Who is the shipowner or principal, and what is the vessel?
- What exactly does the salary include — is it on board only, and is overtime guaranteed?
- What are the contract length and rotation?
- Who do I contact if there is a problem during the contract?
How SeaJobs.pro helps
On SeaJobs.pro, crewing companies carry a verified badge, every vacancy shows a real salary, and your application goes straight to the crewing manager with no fee in between. Pair this with our guide on avoiding crewing scams, and browse current vacancies from agencies across Europe.