Prosecutors have accused them of abandoning the ship without trying to evacuate passengers, the Yonhap news agency said.
The 68-year-old master, Lee Joon-seok, the chief engineer and the chief and second mates allegedly told passengers to stay in their cabins.
More than 300 people died in the tragedy.
If convicted, they could face life in prison or a potential death sentence, although this is reportedly highly unlikely.
