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In 1976 the Fund for Apprentice Fishermen, created in 1971 on a voluntary owners' contribution base, has been converted by legal provision into a new Fund, to which all ship owners must contribute for at least 50 % of all salary expenditure; administrative costs are for the account of the State. Apart from the financial aids granted, the Government is now directly engaged in the management of the Fund.The aim of this inquiry was to obtain some relevant information about the opinions of both ship owners and apprentice fishermen concerning aforesaid Fund. Subsequently it was also the intention to know their opinion about the fisherman's training, his job, his career, his prospects, in view of the considerable changes in the structure of the fishing fleet, and of the technological, vocational and socio-economic changes within the industry. Data were collectedin 1977 by questionnaire and interview. Furthermore use has been made of some existing information. Another major objective was to know the reasons which underlie the differences in earnings among apprentices (Fund salary, percent of gross returns, "poundage", etc.).This paper discusses the latent uneasiness in the fisherman's mind, that sometimes is roused to vigorous opinions, views and attitudes. The interviews were based on two questionnaires, one for the ship owners and an other one for the trainees. However, it was eventually the intention to hold a rather non-structured conversation on a broad and deep level. This, of course, provided more spontaneity in the utterances and replies.It may be concluded that the study provides adequate data for drawing up some guidelines for further improvements in the crew problem policy. An outstanding feature is undoubtedly the fact that the trainees are still recruited from the traditional fishing community, despite the many attempts of attracting youngsters from outside of that community. It is believed, both by the owners and by the trainees, that the Fund has a positive effect on the crew problem. However, it is felt that additional measures are needed to reach a decisive solution of this complex problem.