Consular Trip to Odesa – January 28-29, 2013
U.S. Vice-Consul held a press-conference at the Window on America (WOA) Center
At the end of January, the U.S. Vice-Consul Alexandra Evans visited Odesa to meet with maritime agencies. She also had a chance to meet with American citizens living in Odesa, to hold a press-conference, and to give a presentation on Summer Work and Travel (SWT) program to local students and Peace Corps volunteers.
The first day of Ms. Evans’s visit started with an American citizen services hour at the lobby of the Hotel Bristol. American citizens living in Odesa had a chance to receive services that are usually provided at the Consular Section in Kyiv. Then, Vice-Consul Evans gave an interview to a local news website dumskaya.net, which was followed by the press-conference at the Window on America (WOA) Center. Representatives from GRAD TV, ODTRK, ATV and Novaya Odessa were present.
Questions at both press events focused on the visa application process, including the refusal rate and requests for “tips” for visa applicants. Primary advice to visa applicants was not to lie or attempt to conceal facts.
Later in the afternoon of January 28, Ms. Evans met with a group of maritime agency representatives. The audience included representatives from Alpha Navigation, Diamant North Branch, Daphne Shipping Agency, Marlow Navigation Ukraine, ASP Crew Management Services Ukraine, Ukrferry Ship Management, Flagman Ukraine, Coliseum, Studentland, Volans Marine Agency, Danaos Ukraine, Ukraine Maritime Service, Columbia Ship Management Ukraine, Job cruise ship, Maritime Crewing Agency and Uniteam Marine.
The audience was very positive and grateful to have the opportunity to meet and ask questions of a consular officer. Across the board, agencies expressed satisfaction with the visa application process, particularly following the Consular Section’s move to a new facility.
On January 29, the U.S. Vice-Consul visited the offices of four of the larger maritime agencies in Odesa – Job Cruise Ship, V Ships, Danaos and Marlow. All agencies reiterated their appreciation at the opportunity to meet and their satisfaction with the visa application process. All agencies reported that they typically have more jobs to fill than applicants to fill them.
All four agencies require a basic level of English as a job requirement, for safety purposes. Officers are held to a higher standard of conversational English than rating officers. All sailors are also required to complete a basic safety course for harbor master certification prior to embarkation.
The agencies offer support for visa applications, and none charge fees for the service. Any expenses incurred by the agency or the applicant (transportation to Kyiv, MRV fee) are reimbursed by the shipping company.
Even though, Odesa met Ms. Evans with heavy snowfall, she enjoyed the city very much and is looking forward to its sunny days to return.