Crew refers to all personnel on board, including the captain. Captain, driver, chief engineer, engineer, etc. , must be held by the corresponding certificate of competency. China crew members engaged in international navigation must hold seafarers' certificates and relevant certificates issued by the harbour superintendency agencies of People's Republic of China (PRC) and China. The crew includes sailors. People who only work on (sea) cargo ships or cruise ships are called seafarers, except inland river transport ships. Inland river carriers can only call crew members. The crew of a fishing boat has nothing to do with sailors. Those who work on fishing boats are called fishing boat crew or fishermen, and have nothing to do with seafarers.
The seaman's certificate is issued by the Ministry of Transport, and the fishing boat crew certificate is issued by the Fishery Supervision Administration. There is a huge difference between them. Seafarers generally work on ships transported by freighters, and they are professional and technical personnel. They need to obtain corresponding certificates before they can board the ship. Fishermen cast nets to fish, and the work content is hard.
Legal basis:
People's Republic of China (PRC) Crew Regulations
Article 5 crew members shall obtain corresponding certificates of competency as crew members in accordance with the provisions of these regulations. To apply for a seaman's competency certificate, the following conditions shall be met:
(a) At least 18 years old (at least 16 years old for internship and training on board), and at least 60 years old when applying for the first time;
(2) meeting the health requirements of the crew position;
(3) Having received basic safety training for seafarers. The crew members who participate in navigation and engine duty shall also undergo corresponding competency training and special training for crew members, have corresponding crew qualifications, and have good performance and safety records. The crew of an international sailing ship applying for a certificate of competency shall also pass the professional foreign language examination for seafarers.
Article 6 To apply for a seafarer's competency certificate, a written application may be submitted to the maritime administrative agency that has the right to issue the corresponding seafarer's competency certificate, and the certification materials that the applicant meets the conditions stipulated in Article 5 of these Regulations shall be attached. Those who meet the prescribed conditions and pass the seafarers' post examination organized by the national maritime administrative agency shall be issued with corresponding seafarers' competency certificates and seafarers' service books.
Article 7 The seafarer's certificate of competency shall specify the navigation area (line), ship category and grade, position and validity period of the seafarer's competency. The validity period of the certificate of competency of the crew participating in navigation and engine duty shall not exceed 5 years. The crew service book shall specify the crew's name, domicile, contact person, contact information, performance of duties and other related matters. In case of any change in the items recorded in the crew service book, the crew shall go through the formalities of change with the maritime administrative agency.