Where there are seafarers looking for contracts, there are scammers pretending to be crewing agencies. The scam is almost always the same: they promise a well-paid contract, then ask you to pay — for "registration", a medical, a visa or "processing" — and disappear once you send the money.
The rule that protects you is simple.
The golden rule
A legitimate crewing agency never asks a seafarer for money to get hired. Agencies are paid by shipowners, not by you. If anyone asks you to pay to be placed on a ship, it is a scam — full stop.
Red flags to watch for
- A request to pay a fee for a job, an interview, a medical, a visa or "document processing".
- Pressure to decide immediately or send money "today to hold the place".
- A salary that is far above the market for the rank and vessel.
- Contact only through a free email or messenger, with no real company website or office.
- A "contract" full of errors, or one they refuse to let you read carefully.
- Requests for your passport scans, bank details or a deposit before any genuine process.
How to protect yourself
- Never pay. No exceptions.
- Verify the company. Check the agency's real website, address and reputation. Ask other seafarers.
- Keep everything in writing and read the contract in full before signing.
- Trust your instincts. If it feels too good to be true, it is.
How SeaJobs.pro helps
On SeaJobs.pro, applying is always free for seafarers, crewing companies carry a verified badge, and your application goes directly to the crewing manager — no middleman collecting a fee. We display an anti-scam warning across the site and remove listings and companies that break the rule. If you are ever asked to pay, stop all contact and let us know.