They do stack but they work somewhat like this:
1st works @ 100% ability, 2nd @ 50%, 3rd @ 25%, 5th @ 12.5%
So basicly 2 seamen with same stats increasing a sailor by 1% seperately, together get 1.5%
3 would get something like 1.75%, 4 = 1.875% ect.
Only 1, 2 or 3 are effective, any more are just dead weight