Здравствуйте коллеги! Хочу поведать историю, которая произошла с автором этих строк семь месяцев тому назад, после того как я отправил анкету на э.почту указанного в теме круинга. Зарание прошу прощение, что текст письма на английском это не бахвальство или не уважение. Дело в том, что это оригинал письма, отправленного мной через сайт приема жалоб о несоответствиях https://maerskglobal.alertline.eu непосредственно в Maersk. Я посчитал, что нет необходимости в переводе. Будте бдительны и принимайте в расчет, что ниже изложенное может произойти и с вами при трудоустройстве через это агенство. Собственно письмо:
I’ve sent my C.V. By e-mail to Wilhelmsem Marine Personnel (former Barber Manning) office 190103, 10 Krasnoarmeiskaya st. 22, business center “Kellerman” St. Petersburg, Russia 18.11.2010
[email protected] . Two hours later I’ve got a call from Mrs Lyubov Osetrova head of Wilhelmsen office in St.Petersburg. She announced 6300usd/month 3 month service time the money was less than in previous company so I’ve refused immediately. The story should be end on that… But one week later 25.11.2010 she called me back and offered 7600USD+2000USD one time paid joining bonus and 3 months contract duration. That was just terms announcement, nothing certain. Nevertheless that’s about 25% more than I had before, amazing isn’t? I remember I couldn't belive that and asked her twice to repeat but she was certain. Guys on tankers getting less, at list in some companies. I asked her: “Why the company became so generous?” The answer was that Maersk putting on lines plenty offhired vessels, specialists are on demand as a result company commenced special salary program for incomers. Quite logical if you want somebody change his former working place pay him more. I swallowed the bite as well who didn’t? I gave my agreement for interview. Additionally she asked me to mail through my reference letters. I did it.
Next day on Friday 26th there was made a call to my previous agency which made them a bit nervous. They called me by-turn and I had to calm them down for just “an uncertain offer”. That’s understandable they losing their client - means money. I was surprised a little about such Wilhelmsen’s rude working style. Few minutes later I made a telephone call to Mrs. Osetrova L. trying to get some explanations. She said that was a routine check. Wow, wow slow down. First of all there was no permission from my side for doing such check and I was misinformed completely about such activity, known that from the second hand. Next it’s impolite to bother people if you even don’t have a specific proposal means: vessel name, embarkation date and place at least. Finally I ought to explain what’s going on to my former employers even if they know the rules and understand. But OK we overcame this. As you remember I was waiting the interview at that time.
There was also not as smoothly as I expected. I was to have been interviewed by phone by the crew superintendent from Maersk’s Singaporean office. Calling time was determined as the 2nd of December 2010 early morning due to time difference. I was waiting honestly for four hours near the phone without any result I informed about the case Mrs. Osetrova L. She apologized for colleague of hers and assured me to connect with the Singapore asap. Couple of hours later (I’ve already wasted more than six hours waiting for nothing) she called me back and fixed a different date now that was December the 6th, Monday. But there was no interview at that day at least not for me; story was repeated just exactly as stated above. One more idle period of my life I couldn’t sustain and I expressed all my discontent about the term to Mrs. Osetrova L. “Black out was taken place in the Singaporean office” was her explanation. That’s childish isn’t it? Even cells were shut down, I suppose… Nevertheless there was set another date. The hope dies last and I decided to keep my patience. Finely at December the 9th I was interviewed by one of superintendents. I’ve done well. He said they would like to see me on one of their vessels. So, first trial was overcome. There were some more which I describe further. So Mrs. Osetrova L. got confirmation on me and she asked me to pass the IQ test on one of special enclosed sites “cubics.com”. She mailed me with an access details. I passed the test she informed me about before with some delay. There was already 13th of December. Two days later I had two more paper tests in the Whilhilmsen office. First was IQ again then test on safety understanding. Mrs Osetrova was in Singapore at that time so I was treated by her assistant Marina. Results were announced to me only two days later after confirmation from Singapore. Results were good then only presence of Mrs. Osetrova ought to been completed the puzzle. So she back and offered me to embark on the vessel “Thomas Maersk”, 1300TEU, 1994 built (Japan). Embarkation was expected in Algeciras, Spain 3rd of January. Everything looked good, didn’t it? But further events destroyed my first impressions. First of all I didn’t receive full information about crew list only deck department that is important no doubts to know who is your third officer but not for the second engineer. I asked twice about engine department and received no any certain answer. Second I was misinformed about vessel trading area according to Mrs. Osetrova statement she sailed around Europe. I asked Mrs. Osetrova about ship’s next call. The answer was that she doesn’t have such information. Quite strange especially if you are official representative of the employer. It was taken from me 10 minutes to find out vessels schedule for 1,5 month ahead through the official “Maersk” internet site. There were only two ports in Europe al the rest about six in Western Africa including Guiney Bay countries. I fall in doubts why all most important information for me as a seaman was concealed. Certainly African trade has a lot of disadvantages and maybe there is a shortage of engine staff on board but that is not fair to hide it. Who is going to trust you next time? You will get one employee but lose dozen. Well I stood on the dilemma continue or refuse. On one side there were unfair agency play, African trade and likely crew shortage on the other still good money, promotion opportunity and shorter service time. I’ve said to myself you’ve seen worse ships and you sailed in Western Africa before so you can manage that. I decided to stay. Nevertheless the time was passing. There were few days before Christmas Eve and I was needing a shengen visa. There is impossible to issue it during holidays. Normally it takes 10 working days if you do it through the consulate and 3 in the embassy in Moscow. We had no such time. So we had to send my application and passport to Moscow special agency. That is required more cash of course. I've brought money and documents to the Wilhelmsen office. But I still had doubts about the salary and I asked again about contract terms. I remind: three months on/off, 7600 usd salary + one time payed 2000 usd joining bonus. Mrs. Osetrova made big surprise on her face and said: “This can't be right!” then she checked mails and found that request on my candidature and said: “Oh, yes my mistake I'd sent request with such terms but we still haven't received the confirmation.” I left the office. She promised me to connect with Singapore and fix this misunderstanding. After two hours she called me back and said that she made a mistake in salary announcing that was chief engineer's rate for second engineers 6900usd all rest terms are in force. She apologized to me. Just in time news I've already payed for my visa. I remember that I expressed well-founded doubts concerning assigning bonus (2000 USD) the answer quite surprised me, check this out her exact words: “I've HEARD from other seamen that they received such bonus.” That means I had to rely on her word. OK, I've still trusted in agent honesty and thrown all my doubts away everybody could make a mistake and money was still good I decided to continue . I asked Mrs Osetrova: “Shall I expect any other bad news.” “No, no more” was the answer then I disconnected. Then at 30th of December she informed me by phone that my visa was ready and by the way that my previous salary wasn't confirmed by Singaporean office and they offered to me 6200usd with all rest terms same. Listen how such behavior was authorized, I cite: “If onboard crewmembers discovered that I've gotten such “higher” salary they will be disappointed.” It seams to me comments are unnecessary. That was the last drop I refused immediately from work under such conditions. Few days later I come to the office and took back my documents. That was my first and most likely the last acquaintance with “Wilhelmsen Marine Personal (former Barber manning)”, Ltd.
So, what I've gotten finely? First of all I've lost my previous working place then I had to find another that wasn't a big problem for experienced second engineer but I've lost trust of the people for nothing. Secondly I've spent more than one month of my time plus the time which I spend to find another company. Who can compensate me that? By the way I bite on the offer mostly because of three months contract duration as it was very convenient to me as I could back at home in the beginning of April 2011 and pass exams on my law faculty. Instead that I back at home in the end of June. Thirdly I've payed 150 EUR intead 110 USD for visa wich I didn't use.
There are two questions still on surface which I couldn't answer to myself:
1. Was that unprofessional work of “Wilhelmsen Marine Personal” staff? Or
2. Were there intentionally planed actions?