operator level

[Hemiman]

To buy a better ship with a needed level of say.... 25, do all the sailors have to be that level or just the operator?
Also my other sailors are slowly getting higher levels but my operator seems to be staying on 15, any tips how to get him moving on the levels?

[KevinJ]

as long as your bridge operator can command the boat(is high enough level)... you can use it....
if your gunners are behind your bo... they just dont get to use the best weapons that can fit on the ship...