Frequently Asked Questions.

There are many questions, and frequently, misconceptions related to the hiring of Filipino crew members for duty aboard a seagoing vessel.

These questions range from labor regulations and immigration issues, to salary requirements, to a Filipino crew-members' ability to adapt to the management and surroundings of a different culture. We have also had a number of inquiries into Crew Asia's manning policies, practices, and fee structures.

Over the years, we've collected some of the more interesting and specific questions from yacht owners and captians throughout the world; these questions – and their answers – are provided here.

How quickly can we get Filipino Crew on Board?

If the Yacht is already registered with the POEA and the candidate has all His/her papers in order - we have done it in 2 days to a Yacht in transit of the Suez Canal!

What is the POEA?

The POEA stands for "Philippine Overseas Employment Authority" which is the body governing deployment of Filipinos abroad. It is this body that signs the crew contract and regulates minimum salary leave entitlement; amount of death benefit and is also the arbitrary body with regard to disputes. They are also responsible for issuing the license to Manning Agencies and they control all Agencies.

Does every Filipino crewmember need to pass through the POEA?

Yes - This is for both the Captain's and the Crewmember's own protection and ensures that they have fulfilled all the requirements with regard to documents, qualifications etc.

How easy is it to get a visa for the crewmember to join in any part of the world?

Transit visa - no Problem - Visa regulations differ from Country to Country and for the US a B1 visa is required. Embassy's Visa staff will now only issue a visa to a crewmember who is applying through a Licensed Manning Agency such as Crew Asia as they have a degree of comfort knowing that the Agency has already been approved by the POEA and apart from the guarantee letter issued by the Yacht, Crew Asia also issue one to the Embassy in question confirming that the applicant is a bona fida crewmember and that the Yacht is registered under our Agency.

Why does the yacht have to be registered with the POEA?

The reason for this is partially due to the fact that some commercial ships owners try to take advantage by changing from one Manning Agency to another to avoid paying crew wages, travel costs etc. Obviously a Yacht/Ship can change Agency anytime he likes but the POEA will check that no outstanding accounts are in existence before they can do so. Crew Asia takes care of this registration, which is a very simple procedure.

Is it true that I have to issue a power of attorney to the Agency to act on our behalf on all matters relating to hiring Filipino Crew?

This is true but Crew Asia recognize that this is a very tedious procedure for the Yachting Industry and we do this free of charge through our Offshore Company which legally covers this requirement.

What is a Licensed-manning Agency?

Recruitment of Filipinos to work abroad is a very emotive issue and there are many "scams" whereby individuals promise jobs abroad, which are fictitious and extort large sums of money on the basis, that the job and visa will be forthcoming.

Sums of up to US $5,000 have been known to be asked and victims have borrowed or mortgaged everything on the basis of these promises.

Some crewmembers have been know to tell their Captains "that they can fix everything if they need more Filipinos" which usually ends up as a nightmare for the Capt. and the crewmember that "offers" this service effectively become an "illegal recruiter"!!

A licensed manning Agency ensures that the controls are in place so this does not happen.

What controls are in place so that I can be sure that my crew has not been subject to this victimization?

There are very stringent requirements issued by the POEA before a License to operate a Manning Agency will be issued. The Agency has to put up a cash Bond of US$12,000 which is lodged in an Escrow Account; Officers of the Company have to have relative experience in Manpower Placement; the office premises have to be a minimum size and will be surveyed by the POEA to ensure that they confirm. The Manning Agency is not allowed to charge Candidates fees of any nature.

What does the Manning Agency do for me?

Apart from selecting and short listing suitable candidates; checking their references; all their documents; having the POEA contract endorsed; applying for the relative visa and attending to the travel requirements etc., we are responsible for the Filipino crew payments to there bank accounts every month (allotment) settling the SSS contributions and any other personal payments that have to be made such as credit card balances etc.

What is an allotment?

This is the term used for the amount of cash, which is remitted home from the crewmembers monthly pay. The Yacht remits one payment to us and we distribute as directed. The allotment has to be at least 80% of the Crewmembers basic wage.

Why does it have to be 80% and what is the basic wage?

The reason for this is that in there have been many instances whereby crewmembers have gone abroad and that is the last their family have heard of them!! The POEA contract states that the salary must be made up of a basic plus overtime. The allotment is based on this basic but of course it can be more if they want.

Why does the salary in the POEA contract have overtime when overtime is not normally paid in Yachts?

This is because the contract conditions apply to any seafarer of any type of ship and of course overtime is paid to commercial seaman. We have resolved this by making the overtime a fixed amount, which is then included in the salary. For example if a crewmembers salary is US $1,000 per month then we would make the basic US $750 and the 'fixed" overtime US$250 which still makes a total of US $1,000 and satisfies the authorities. The allotment in this instance would be 80% of US $750 ie. US $600.

Why are Crew Asia fees charged on a monthly basis?

In the question about allotments we mentioned that we do all the remittances every month so clearly our work does not end once the crew member departs to join the Yacht.

We divide the annual Manning Fee (which is, as of 29 May, 2008, Euro € 900 per-crew-member irrespective of salary) by 12 and this is included in our monthly Invoice - we feel this is fairer to the Yacht.

If the Yacht is working in US Dollars then the fee will be calculated in US Dollars based upon the prevailing Euro rate at the time of Invoice.

This is the only fee Crew Asia charges - we do not charge a placement or recruiting fee.