The practice of charging masters and ships’ officers, as well as other crew members, with criminal offences have resulted in creating widespread attention in recent years, both within and beyond the shipping industry.
Concern has focused in particular on a number of “high- profile” harsh cases in the wake of pollution and similar high profile incidents.
The use of the term “criminalization” in this context is perhaps an emotive one, but it reflects a widespread concern across the shipping...
https://www.marineinsight.com/maritime-law/rights-and-duties-of-seafarers-upon-criminalisation/