so, I’m set to go to SIU apprenticeship in Maryland in a couple months and I have a few questions about sea time requirements for upgrading my license.
My understanding is you graduate as an AB limited but with only 180 days of sea time, which I dont quite understand as I thought that was the requirement for AB special. I guess because it’s an accredited program I get to rush sea time like an academy does for a 3rd mate? not quite sure how that works, if anyone knows please let me know
assuming that is the case, will I need to just get the additional 180 days of sea time delta between AB limited and AB unlimited to get my AB unlimited, or will I need to get all the way to 540 total sea days to get my AB unlimited? if so will i then be 540 days from 3rd mate even though I only have 360 days of sea time? I do know the reduced sea time requirements end in December 2026.
You have to earn a license before you can call it “my license” and there is no such document as an AB license. Ships are two-tiered kingdoms, they are populated by licensed and unlicensed crewmembers.
While your desire to obtain a license is commendable, you may find your Piney Point experience less unpleasant if you keep your future aspirations to yourself during your SIU indoctrination.
fair enough, I suppose license isn’t the right term. haha yeah, I will, I understand that the SIU exists to create permanent ABs and will not like me using their program as a stepping stone.
do you know anything about what it takes to earn higher rating and eventually licenses? I know that AB unlimited was reduced to 540 days total. however I am graduating with 180 days and AB limited which would take 360 days at the reduced rate the 2023 NDAA authorized if I were to hawsepipe from OS. do you know if it will simply be another 180 days to make ab unlimited(ie the difference between the requirements for ab limited and ab unlimited), or 360 more days to reach the 540 total? if it is the latter, does that apply to getting a 3rd mates license as well, as in id only be 540 sea days away from 3rd mate after I reach AB unlimited with a total of 360 days at sea?
No. He is asking whether or not completing the SIU program gives him a leg up on getting an AB unlimited any quicker than 540 days of service. I doubt it does, but SIU would be the ones to ask. The program approval letter from CG to SIU may specify a certain credit for days served upon completion.
ive been looking, and honestly they dont seem to, which is why I am asking. the temporary reduction of sea time requirements from the 2023 NDAA is a pretty unique and niche situation.
clearly I have done some reading if I know the seatime requirements, the name of the bill that reduced them, the date that the reduction ends(dec 2026), etc.
honestly, you’ve been kind of a dick in every reply and provided no information that is useful. if your gonna be a dick be helpful, otherwise why comment?
thank you porto, that makes sense. if I am understanding correctly you are saying that the reason that I would graduate with a license that requires 360 days while only having 180 days is I am credited extra time at sea for going through their program? I will send SIU an email from a burner email to ask so they dont get any ideas about me using them as a stepping stone. in any case, ty for the info it is appreciated!
