近期媒体报道了一名中国船员在海外因声称的工作机会外出途中失联的事件，再次引发了业界对船员上船前阶段风险所涉及法律与保险问题的关注。尽管该名人员目前已安全回国，但该事件凸显了一个日益突出的风险领域，对船东、船舶管理人以及持证船员招募与安置机构均具有重要警示意义。（相关阅读：警惕！多起中国船员境外失联，境外诈骗集团已经盯上海员群体）
本文将从保赔险及法律角度进行深入分析，重点结合保赔协会关于船员责任的基本原则、中国劳动法及船员管理相关法规中的概念，以及船员出行、动员及合同终止后返程等实务操作情况。同时，本文亦涉及与数字信息传播及网络诈骗相关的新兴风险。
保赔险船员责任保障的法律基础
保赔险属于责任保险。根据各国际保赔协会条款的一般原则，协会仅在会员依法或依合同对船员承担责任的范围内予以赔偿。
因此，触发保赔险保险责任生效须同时具备以下三个基本要素：
● 可识别的船东或船舶经营人；
● 有效且可执行的劳动合同（或等同的法定义务）；
● 以及船东经营活动与船员所遭受的损失、伤害或费用之间存在因果关系。
如上述任何一项要素缺失，保赔险保障即无法触发。
缺失真实就业关系：无合同、无责任、无保险保障
在涉及欺诈性或虚构招工的案件中：
● 不存在真实的船东主体；
● 未指定任何具体船舶；
● 不存在经认可的雇佣合同。
无论从保赔险还是中国法律的角度来看，均未形成劳动（雇佣）关系，因此任何船东均不承担相应的法律责任。
尽管从人道层面而言，此类事件令人深表遗憾，但其并不属于保赔险的承保范围。保赔险并不对与会员投保经营活动无关的个人损失提供保障。
雇佣关系的开始：“自离家前往船舶之时起”
在合法、真实的雇佣安排下，保赔险实务中通常认可：自船员离家前往登轮之时起，船员即已处于合同项下的雇佣状态，前提条件包括：
● 雇佣合同已依法、有效订立；
● 登轮指示真实、合法并经授权；
● 出行系仅为加入已明确指名的船舶之目的。
上述做法亦符合中国劳动法及船员管理法规所体现的保护性立法精神，即一旦雇佣关系成立，即强调雇佣关系的连续性以及船东所负有的照管义务。
船员上船前途中发生伤害、疾病或死亡的情形
如船员在依据有效雇佣合同前往登轮途中发生：
● 人身伤害；
● 疾病；或
● 死亡，
船东可能依法承担以下责任：
● 医疗费用；
● 病假工资；
● 伤残或死亡赔偿；
● 遣返费用。
在符合适用的协会规则、除外条款及入会条件的前提下，上述责任通常属于保赔险承保范围，因其系直接源于雇佣关系而产生。
未发生人身伤害的行程中断：经营风险与保险风险的区分
如船员在出行途中未发生人身伤害，但因以下原因导致行程中断：
● 移民或签证问题；
● 当地主管机关介入；
● 物流或交通安排受阻，
则应适用不同的法律与保险分析路径。
在此类情形下，船东仍可能基于合同约定或良好行业惯例，需承担以下义务：
● 提供住宿与基本生活保障；或
● 安排船员安全遣返。
然而，上述费用在多数情况下可能被视为经营性支出，而非保险责任。除非该等费用系因协会规则项下承保的法律责任所引发，否则通常不得向保赔协会申请赔偿。
新兴风险：数字信息与网络诈骗
现代技术的发展为船员带来了新的脆弱性与风险：
● 数字信息泄露：大量移动应用、社交媒体平台及招聘网站会收集个人信息，包括船名、登轮港、家庭联系方式等；
● 网络诈骗：不法分子可利用上述信息伪造虚假的工作机会或出行安排，直接针对船员实施诈骗；
● 建议措施：个人信息应仅通过持证船员服务机构或公司官方渠道进行披露，避免在社交媒体或未经核实的应用程序中发布敏感信息。
此外，合同履行结束后的返程途中亦可能存在安全风险，例如：
● 被虚假的交通或住宿服务误导；
● 在途中遭遇欺诈性招聘；
● 其他人身安全风险。
防范措施包括：
● 使用官方、经核实的交通安排；
● 向船员提供正式行程单及紧急联系方式；
● 鼓励船员及其家属在出行期间保持定期沟通。
其他需关注的经营性风险
● 海外港口延误或签证问题：因监管、健康或移民限制，船员可能被滞留；
● 证件与资金安全：护照、船员证件及工资相关文件需妥善保管；
● 合同透明度：避免船员签署缺乏法律支持或不被保赔协会认可的非正式协议或文件。
实务风险管理与防范措施
为降低在该领域的风险敞口，我们建议会员采取以下措施：
● 强化船员管理：仅与持证、信誉良好的船员招募与安置机构合作，并明确内部授权与责任链条；
● 确保合同条款清晰明确：雇佣合同应明确载明雇主、船舶名称、登轮港口及适用法律，并与保赔协会的相关要求保持一致；
● 规范并留存登轮安排记录：所有出行及登轮指示均应以正式方式发出，并妥善存档备查；
● 加强船员反诈骗与数字风险教育：定期开展培训，提示常见招工诈骗手法、移动应用风险及安全出行注意事项；
● 及早与保赔协会及CTX保险顾问沟通：提前咨询往往是妥善应对经营风险及保险影响的关键，有助于同时兼顾操作层面与保险层面的管理。
结语
船员上船前及合同结束后的出行风险，仅能在真实、合法的雇佣关系框架内纳入保险保障范围。欺诈性或虚构安排、数字信息暴露及与出行相关的诈骗行为，虽不属于船东法律责任或保赔险承保范围，但仍构成重要的经营管理及人身安全风险。
CTX希望本材料能为您提供切实可行的参考。如您希望就任何具体情形作进一步探讨，欢迎随时与我们联系。
（来源：CTX - Capt. Xu；原文发布日期：2026/2/5）
英文原文：
CTX: Pre-Joining Crew Risks and Insurance Liability – Lessons from the Cambodia Missing Chinese Seafarer Incident
Recent media coverage of a Chinese seafarer who went missing while travelling overseas for a purported job opportunity has once again drawn attention to the legal and insurance implications of pre-joining crew risks. Although the individual has since returned home safely, the incident highlights a growing area of concern for Shipowners, Ship's managers and Licensed Seafarer Recruitment and Placement Agency.
This material provides a detailed analysis from a P&I and legal perspective, with reference to P&I Club crew liability principles, relevant concepts under Chinese labour and seafarer regulations, and practical realities of crew travel, mobilisation, and post-contract return. It also addresses emerging risks related to digital information and network scams.
Legal Foundation of P&I Cover for Crew Liabilities:
P&I insurance is liability-based. As a general principle under all P&I Club Rules, the Club will indemnify a Member only to the extent that the Member is legally or contractually liable to the seafarer.
Accordingly, three fundamental elements must exist:
·an identifiable shipowner or operator;
·a valid and enforceable contract of employment (or equivalent statutory obligation); and
·a causal connection between the shipowner’s business and the seafarer’s loss, injury or expense.
Where any of these elements is missing, P&I cover cannot be triggered.
Absence of a Genuine Job: No Contract, No Liability, No Cover:
In cases involving fraudulent or fictitious job offers:
·no genuine shipowner is involved;
·no vessel is designated;
·no approved contract of employment exists.
From both a P&I and Chinese legal standpoint, no employment relationship is formed, and therefore no legal liability arises on the part of any shipowner.
While such incidents are deeply regrettable on a human level, they fall outside the scope of P&I insurance, which does not respond to personal losses unconnected with a Member’s insured operations.
Commencement of Employment: “From Home to Vessel”:
Under legitimate employment arrangements, it is generally accepted in P&I practice that a seafarer comes under contract from the time he leaves home to join the vessel, provided that:
·the employment contract has been duly concluded;
·the joining instructions are genuine and authorised; and
·the travel is undertaken for the sole purpose of joining a named vessel.
This approach is also consistent with the protective spirit of Chinese labour and seafarer regulations, which emphasise the continuity of employment and the shipowner’s duty of care once the employment relationship has commenced.
Injury, Illness or Death During Pre-Joining Travel:
Where a seafarer suffers:
·personal injury,
·illness, or
·death
While travelling to join a vessel under a valid contract, the shipowner may incur liabilities relating to:
·medical treatment,
·sick wages,
·disability or death compensation, and
·repatriation.
Subject to the applicable Rules, exclusions and terms of entry, such liabilities would normally fall within P&I cover, as they arise directly from the employment relationship.
Travel Disruption Without Injury: Operational vs Insured Risks:
A different analysis applies where a seafarer’s journey is interrupted without physical injury, for example due to:
·immigration issues,
·local authority intervention, or
·logistical disruptions.
In such cases, the shipowner may still be required under contract or good practice to:
·provide accommodation and subsistence; or
·arrange safe repatriation of seafare.
However, these costs may be regarded as operational expenses rather than insured liabilities, and may not be recoverable from the P&I Club unless they result from a liability covered under the Rules.
Emerging Risks: Digital Information and Network Fraud:
Modern technology introduces new vulnerabilities for seafarers:
·Digital information leakage: Many mobile apps, social media platforms, and recruitment websites collect personal data, including ship name, joining port, and family contacts.
·Network scams: Fraudsters can exploit this data to fabricate fake job offers or travel arrangements, targeting seafarers directly.
·Recommendation: Only share personal data through licensed crewing agencies or official company channels. Avoid posting sensitive information on social media or unverified apps.
Additionally, post-contract travel home can also pose security risks, such as:
·being misled by fake transport or accommodation services,
·fraudulent recruitment attempts en route, or
·other personal safety threats.
Preventive measures include:
·Using official and verified transport arrangements.
·Providing seafarers with official itineraries and emergency contact details.
·Encouraging crew and family members to maintain regular communication during travel.
Other Operational Risks to Consider:
·Overseas port delays or visa issues: Crew may be stranded due to regulatory, health, or immigration restrictions.
·Document and financial security: Passports, seafarer ID, and wage instruments must be carefully safeguarded.
·Contract transparency: Avoid situations where crew sign informal agreements or documents not fully supported by law or the P&I Club.
Practical Risk Management and Preventive Measures:
To mitigate exposure in this area, we recommend that Members:
1.Strengthen crewing governance: Engage only licensed and reputable crewing agents, with clear lines of authority.
2.Ensure contractual clarity: Contracts should clearly identify the employer, vessel, joining port and applicable law, and be aligned with Club requirements.
3.Control and document joining arrangements: All travel instructions should be issued formally and retained on file.
4.Educate crew on scams and digital risks: Regular briefings on common recruitment frauds, mobile app risks, and safe travel practices.
5.Engage early with P&I Clubs and CTX Special Risks: Early consultation is often key to managing both operational response and insurance implications.
Concluding Remarks:
Pre-joining and post-contract travel risks are insurable only within the framework of a genuine employment relationship. Fraudulent or fictitious arrangements, digital exposure, and travel-related scams fall outside the scope of shipowner liability and P&I cover, but remain operational and personal safety concerns.
We hope this material could provides practical guidance. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you wish to discuss any specific scenario in more detail. Thanks!
（Source: CTX - Capt. Xu; Date: 2026/2/5）
* The views presented here above are for information sharing and discussionpurposes only. Thank you.
* 翻译仅供参考，请以英文原文为准。所有文章仅供信息共享和讨论之用。感谢您的关注。
来源：诚品保险顾问有限公司/Michelle Miao
信德海事安全综合报道
