No sea experience needed, says P&O agency ad for crews

theguardian.com:

One of the maritime agencies recruiting workers for P&O Ferries is advertising for crew members, saying no previous experience at sea required.

Union officials warn that P&O Ferries could be jeopardising safety after dismissing 800 crew members and replacing them with workers paid less than the minimum wage. One of the firm’s vessels has been detained at Larne in Northern Ireland for being “unfit to sail” because of concerns over training.

One of the companies recruiting for P&O Ferries, CSM Baltics – part of Columbia Shipmanagement, one of the world’s largest ship managers – has posted an ad on Facebook saying: “We are looking for a large number of stewards to work 12 hours day on board our ships and to have rest of 12 hours in hotels in France. No seafarers’ documents are needed, just previous experience in hospitality institutions.”

The ad goes on to say the stewards will work a pattern of eight weeks on and eight weeks off.

P&O Ferries says the agency also recruits for other shipping firms, and that it is not unusual to hire some crew members without previous maritime experience. The firm said all crew members would receive full training before setting sail.

A P&O Ferries spokesperson said: “The safety of our passengers and crew is our foremost priority. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is currently making port state inspections, which includes checking all crew certification.”

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) detained the P&O ferry European Causeway in Larne on Friday because of “failures on crew familiarisation, vessel documentation and crew training”.

P&O Ferries sacked 800 staff without notice on 17 March and has admitted to breaching employment law by failing to consult with trades unions.

Peter Hebblethwaite,