# AB inland license **URL:** \ **Category:** Professional Mariner Forum\ **Created:** [May 5, 2018, 11:31pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/ab-inland-license/48013 "2018-05-05T23:31:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![DirtyCoast](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/dirtycoast/32/9387_2.png) [@DirtyCoast](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/DirtyCoast)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 5:24pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/ab-inland-license/48013/22 "2018-05-06T17:24:20Z")
> [@tugsailor](#): > > It seems to me that the river trade should have a completely different licensing system. A FUCKING MEN. tugailsor thank you ---
**Author:** ![DirtyCoast](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/dirtycoast/32/9387_2.png) [@DirtyCoast](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/DirtyCoast)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 5:27pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/ab-inland-license/48013/23 "2018-05-06T17:27:47Z")
> [@tugsailor](#): > > I think it was a huge mistake to mix together the River towboating and Coastwise tugboating in Subchapter M. This results in the river being overregulated and mis-regulated with Coastwise requirements, and Coastwise being underregulated and mis-regulated with River requirements. It was well intentioned, theres just too many people sitting at the table making rules without sea time. ---
**Author:** ![DirtyCoast](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/dirtycoast/32/9387_2.png) [@DirtyCoast](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/DirtyCoast)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 5:57pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/ab-inland-license/48013/24 "2018-05-06T17:57:11Z")
@jdcavo ---
**Author:** ![CookingatSea](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/cookingatsea/32/3489_2.png) [@CookingatSea](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/CookingatSea)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 7:41pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/ab-inland-license/48013/25 "2018-05-06T19:41:16Z")
You are probably mostly correct. It’s funny though, I remember going to some schooling way back with “professional mariners” (pea coats and everything) who could not do a splice. Marlinspike seamanship just wasn’t what they did on big ships (in this case). Did they need to learn the skills I already had to be an AB? Aren’t there basic knots and basic rules of the road we should all know? This industry is pretty diverse. Should we further break it down and say if you do coastwise towing take this AB test but if you are doing harbor work take another one? Maybe its apples and oranges ---
**Author:** ![CookingatSea](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/cookingatsea/32/3489_2.png) [@CookingatSea](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/CookingatSea)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 8:22pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/ab-inland-license/48013/26 "2018-05-06T20:22:49Z")
I hope your business model is successful. Sounds like there is a need for it. ---
**Author:** ![DirtyCoast](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/dirtycoast/32/9387_2.png) [@DirtyCoast](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/DirtyCoast)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 8:50pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/ab-inland-license/48013/27 "2018-05-06T20:50:22Z")
Thanks but it’s not a business model, I have no plans to profit from this. I only want feedback on if it’s a good idea or a bad idea. ---
**Author:** ![CookingatSea](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/cookingatsea/32/3489_2.png) [@CookingatSea](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/CookingatSea)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 8:52pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/ab-inland-license/48013/28 "2018-05-06T20:52:17Z")
👍 ---
**Author:** ![Capt\_Phoenix](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/capt_phoenix/32/281_2.png) [@Capt\_Phoenix](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Capt_Phoenix)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 9:30pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/ab-inland-license/48013/29 "2018-05-06T21:30:07Z")
> [@CookingatSea](#): > > Marlinspike seamanship just wasn’t what they did on big ships (in this case). I’m not sure where they worked but that’s not the case that I’m familiar with. If it _can_ be tuck spliced deck crews are usually expected to be _able_ to splice it. The only place I’ve seen such a lack of basic splicing skills is on supply boats. ---
**Author:** ![Capt\_Phoenix](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/capt_phoenix/32/281_2.png) [@Capt\_Phoenix](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Capt_Phoenix)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 9:30pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/ab-inland-license/48013/30 "2018-05-06T21:30:56Z")
> [@DirtyCoast](#): > > I have no plans to profit from this. Why not? Everyone’s gotta eat, including you. ---
**Author:** ![DirtyCoast](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/dirtycoast/32/9387_2.png) [@DirtyCoast](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/DirtyCoast)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 9:44pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/ab-inland-license/48013/31 "2018-05-06T21:44:13Z")
I take it back, If this was passed and there was a raise, I would benefit in that regard. I’m looking out for the guys coming up. ---
**Author:** ![Capt\_Phoenix](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/capt_phoenix/32/281_2.png) [@Capt\_Phoenix](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Capt_Phoenix)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 9:57pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/ab-inland-license/48013/32 "2018-05-06T21:57:27Z")
It wouldn’t be an AB rating since you talking about green hands. I think it’s best to not have the USCG require a basic training for inland boats because it would likely be completely worthless training. It’s good that that company wants to have a formalized training in place, you could set it up. If you do it as a private company you can also go to other inland companies and try to get them to send their new guys there also. The big companies are likely to go for it, the rinky-dink companies likely won’t. ---
**Author:** ![DirtyCoast](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/dirtycoast/32/9387_2.png) [@DirtyCoast](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/DirtyCoast)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 10:01pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/ab-inland-license/48013/33 "2018-05-06T22:01:58Z")
I’m not interested in that. I’m looking to start an industry minimum. But I value the opinion, thanks for responding. ---
**Author:** ![DirtyCoast](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/dirtycoast/32/9387_2.png) [@DirtyCoast](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/DirtyCoast)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 10:02pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/ab-inland-license/48013/34 "2018-05-06T22:02:56Z")
> [@Capt\_Phoenix](#): > > It wouldn’t be an AB rating since you talking about green hands. I think it’s best to not have the USCG require a basic training for inland boats because it would likely be completely worthless training I agree, I think it eventually would become a tax on the industry. ---
**Author:** ![CookingatSea](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/cookingatsea/32/3489_2.png) [@CookingatSea](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/CookingatSea)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 10:16pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/ab-inland-license/48013/35 "2018-05-06T22:16:48Z")
They told me all they ever did was respond to helm commands while driving. I spent a week teaching 4 of them a 3 strand splice and knots. The point of this example was to say that working on a container ship is often nothing like working on a tugboat, and that an AB test was just a basic general skills test. ---
**Author:** ![Capt\_Phoenix](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/capt_phoenix/32/281_2.png) [@Capt\_Phoenix](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Capt_Phoenix)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 10:25pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/ab-inland-license/48013/36 "2018-05-06T22:25:35Z")
> [@CookingatSea](#): > > They told me all they ever did was respond to helm commands while driving. I spent a week teaching 4 of them a 3 strand splice and knots. While I’m sure that that has happened, it isn’t normal. > [@CookingatSea](#): > > The point of this example was to say that working on a container ship is often nothing like working on a tugboat While true there’s a surprising amount of similarity for deckhands. Chip, wire wheel, prime, paint, don’t fall overboard, don’t go in confined spaces, etc. Some slackers exist on both types of boats but knots and splices are expected knowledge on ships just like on tugs. ---
**Author:** ![Capt\_Phoenix](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/capt_phoenix/32/281_2.png) [@Capt\_Phoenix](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Capt_Phoenix)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 10:28pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/ab-inland-license/48013/37 "2018-05-06T22:28:39Z")
> [@DirtyCoast](#): > > I’m looking to start an industry minimum. The only way that I can see that working is for the AWO to require shore side, hands on training that covers what the employee will be expected to do onboard that company’s boats. ---
**Author:** ![Capt\_Phoenix](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/capt_phoenix/32/281_2.png) [@Capt\_Phoenix](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Capt_Phoenix)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 10:32pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/ab-inland-license/48013/38 "2018-05-06T22:32:27Z")
> [@DirtyCoast](#): > > I’m not interested in that. I thought you had been asked to start a class? Is this the company doing it in house and they just want you to design it? ---
**Author:** ![CookingatSea](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/cookingatsea/32/3489_2.png) [@CookingatSea](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/CookingatSea)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 10:32pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/ab-inland-license/48013/39 "2018-05-06T22:32:43Z")
Isn’t a lot of that being done on Western rivers also? So again, although there are some big differences there seems to be a trend emerging that says a lot of day to day boat work is the same. The coast guard offers the opportunity for young mariners to show they have learned some of these basic skills. It’s called an AB.Or is that wrong? ---
**Author:** ![Capt\_Phoenix](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/capt_phoenix/32/281_2.png) [@Capt\_Phoenix](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Capt_Phoenix)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 10:35pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/ab-inland-license/48013/40 "2018-05-06T22:35:05Z")
> [@CookingatSea](#): > > The coast guard offers the opportunity for young mariners to show they have learned some of these basic skills. It’s called an AB. Yes, but this thread is talking about new OS orientation training, not AB training. ---
**Author:** ![Lee\_Shore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Lee\_Shore](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Lee_Shore)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 10:38pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/ab-inland-license/48013/42 "2018-05-06T22:38:40Z")
I’m not a towboat guy so I’m not familiar with the entry level process for deckhands but I’ve watched them work often enough to think that for management to just dump a warm body on the deck of a workboat without an ounce of training has to be self defeating. I’ve seen classes being taught while visiting Kirby’s facility in Channelview and as mentioned by someone else above, I expect that is the standard with sizable companies. It sounds like you’re coming from a good place with this and I wish you luck. My experience and knowledge of training methods are in other areas of the maritime industry and in aviation but you have my help if you want it. [Previous page](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/ab-inland-license/48013.md?page=1) [Next page](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/ab-inland-license/48013.md?page=3)