Cebu recruitment agency sends competent seafarers to Europe

CEBU, Philippines - When wealthy Europeans need Filipino crew to man their yachts they seek the help of Eurasian Maritime Corporation (EMC).

The Cebu-based personnel recruitment agency is the leading supplier of dynamic, competent and disciplined seafarers to ships worldwide.

But according to EMC president Belinda C. Wong, their top clients now are the European yacht owners, specifically those from South France and Greece, who despite the current economic crisis are still operating their yachts for private cruises with their family or guests.

Because working onboard a luxury yacht requires experience, skills,   hard work, patience, and ability to work with a team, Wong said they are very meticulous when screening applicants.

EMC’s thorough selection process begins with an exhaustive interview and investigation of the applicants background. They are asked to comply with requirements such as up-to-date passport, valid seaman’s handbooks, comprehensive medical checkup, NBI clearance and the STCW ‘95 certificate.

When clients make final decision as to which applicants they want, EMC then proceeds with the necessary paperwork in order for the crew to be deployed.

“Filipinos are among the most preferred crew because we are known to be hardworking and our English is good. We provide our clients with the best qualified crew so as not to disappoint them,” Wong said.

Yachting is a booming business and the Filipinos with their very good work ethics and skills are in a better position to benefit from this.

Wong said for yacht operations, they hire people for stewards/stewardesses, engine room crew, engineers, deck officers, interior crew chefs, and for laundry and housekeeping positions.

Wong’s group acquired EMC in 2009 and since then the company has serviced over 40 clients.

Wong attended the Monaco Boat Show last month to link with possible clients and to keep the company abreast with the latest trends in yachting. — DSN(FREEMAN)