How old do you have to be to work on a fish or crab boat

by Chad
(Boston, Massachussetts)

I want to know how old do you have to be to work on a fish or shrimp boat in Alaska or New England. I really want to move out of my parents house and support myself. I am 17 years old now, but because I was left back a few times I am only in the 10th grade.

Do you have to be 18 years old, or can I start at seventeen? Does a job like that offer benefits like medical and dental or is this off the books type of work. Any fisherman or shrimpers out there that know the answers to these question?