THE ITF has issuing another warning regarding crewing organisations in Nigeria.
An ITF spokesman told Fairplay that Tapinok Consulting Nigeria and Nova Marines, giving their locations as Port Harcourt, are offering seafaring jobs in return for between $500 and $800 and a copy of a passport. Sample job offers received by the ITF have been passed to Fairplay, which can confirm that no ships match the description and data given.
The ITF is again warning anyone looking for work not to pay any fees in advance. It is illegal to ask for money up front, and it is the best indicator that you are about to lose it, said the spokesman. In July last year, Fairplay uncovered a Panama-based organisation behind a series of suspect Internet sites offering seafaring and offshore jobs upon payment of fees. The Panama Maritime Authority has carried out an investigation and is seeking help from foreign parties to step forward with evidence of wrongdoing.
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