<\/span>The History of Candidate Exploitation<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nVulnerability to Predatory Practices<\/strong>: Corrupt recruitment agents regularly targeted candidates from economically vulnerable backgrounds, offering assurance of placement on vessels in exchange for high fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBut what these agents did, however, was exploit the STCW Loophole; they rushed their candidates through basic (and typically subpar) STCW courses only to secure them a CDC, instead of allowing them to gain valuable experience in merchant marine programs. Then, people were sent to sea, with no preparation in terms of real operational activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n