# AB unlimited question **URL:** \ **Category:** Professional Mariner Forum\ **Created:** [January 21, 2014, 10:07am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/ab-unlimited-question/11936 "2014-01-21T10:07:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Enarubin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/59ef9b/32.png) [@Enarubin](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Enarubin)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2014, 10:30am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/ab-unlimited-question/11936/21 "2014-01-22T10:30:04Z")
> [@"PaddyWest2012"](#): > > Check up on that just to be sure. After March 24th the minimum tonnage for unlimited endorsements is supposed to go from 200-GRT to 100-GRT, I don’t know how this will affect ratings but I know that is the case for officer endorsements. This change was discussed at length in the STCW changes thread that was on here just a matter of weeks ago. My suggestion would be to use the search function, go back and find the one or two threads that were all about the upcoming changes to STCW and see what was said about going from 200-GRT to 100-GRT. Good luck! I was wondering if that pertained to AB but anyways I just accepted a position this morning with a company that has 1600 ton boats but it may help out some others to check that out! Thanks for the good info. ---
**Author:** ![RichM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/838e76/32.png) [@RichM](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/RichM)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2014, 10:39am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/ab-unlimited-question/11936/22 "2014-01-22T10:39:14Z")
[QUOTE=Goirish44;128834]man fuuuuuck that[/QUOTE] Once I had an AB on my watch. We sailed from Singapore en route to Europe. He was a good guy. Came time to transit the Suez we discovered the guy could not steer worth a shit. The pilot was screaming, the captain had me take the helm while he called for another quartermaster. After that fiasco, I had to indoc him and make certain he was capable before we entered the next port. He got his AB ticket with sea time from the Navy, he was bosn in the chain locker of the Enterprise prior to coming on a container ship. I’m just saying you have balls to sail as an AB if you are not familiar with and capable of doing the job you were hired for. Someone just might tell you, “fuuuuuuuck that”. ---
**Author:** ![Goirish44](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@Goirish44](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Goirish44)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2014, 6:01am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/ab-unlimited-question/11936/23 "2014-01-23T06:01:52Z")
> [@"RichM"](#): > > Once I had an AB on my watch. We sailed from Singapore en route to Europe. He was a good guy. Came time to transit the Suez we discovered the guy could not steer worth a shit. The pilot was screaming, the captain had me take the helm while he called for another quartermaster. After that fiasco, I had to indoc him and make certain he was capable before we entered the next port. He got his AB ticket with sea time from the Navy, he was bosn in the chain locker of the Enterprise prior to coming on a container ship. I’m just saying you have balls to sail as an AB if you are not familiar with and capable of doing the job you were hired for. Someone just might tell you, “fuuuuuuuck that”. I agree with you 100% I’m just saying if you have the sea time on deck and are confident go for it. When I was an ordinary it was asked to steer cause of a similar situation where the AB was fired off the helm I was asked to steer and I took advantage of the opportunity. I just hate sailing as an ordinary. ---
**Author:** ![dncartersweatte1993](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/dncartersweatte1993/32/4785_2.png) [@dncartersweatte1993](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/dncartersweatte1993)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2014, 10:05pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/ab-unlimited-question/11936/24 "2014-01-25T22:05:44Z")
Is it possible to apply for a 100T(near coastal) and AB(limited) at the same time? I have 736 sea days(all on a vessel over 200 tons) and, have never processed any other coast guard documentation. I just sent in my application for both and was told it couldn’t be done by a friend, I thought I did my research but maybe I’m wrong. I didn’t see anywhere in the CFR’s where the two contradict. I’m just worried I wasted money. Any help is appreciated Thanks Daniel ---
**Author:** ![PaddyWest2012](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/paddywest2012/32/2405_2.png) [@PaddyWest2012](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/PaddyWest2012)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2014, 10:28pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/ab-unlimited-question/11936/25 "2014-01-25T22:28:47Z")
[QUOTE=dncartersweatte1993;129105]Is it possible to apply for a 100T(near coastal) and AB(limited) at the same time? I have 736 sea days(all on a vessel over 200 tons) and, have never processed any other coast guard documentation. I just sent in my application for both and was told it couldn’t be done by a friend, I thought I did my research but maybe I’m wrong. I didn’t see anywhere in the CFR’s where the two contradict. I’m just worried I wasted money. Any help is appreciated Thanks Daniel[/QUOTE] Yes, you’re allowed to do that. Obviously getting the 100-ton master’s NC license doesn’t involve the same process as the AB, but you are certainly allowed to apply for both simultaneously. If you have done your due diligence and you do actually qualify for the license then you will be issued an “approval to test” letter, after which you have 90 days to make an appointment to go to an REC, take the tests that they said that you have to take, and pass them. After that they will begin the process of issuing you a license. ---
**Author:** ![dncartersweatte1993](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/dncartersweatte1993/32/4785_2.png) [@dncartersweatte1993](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/dncartersweatte1993)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2014, 10:47pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/ab-unlimited-question/11936/26 "2014-01-25T22:47:57Z")
Thank you so much! I was worried I wasted my time and money at MPT and sea school, I already tested there. When I get my cred back from the NMC, then I’m headed for the gulf to start knocking on doors. My application has been ready to be evaluated for 2 weeks. ---
**Author:** ![Slowsailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Slowsailor](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Slowsailor)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2014, 4:28am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/ab-unlimited-question/11936/27 "2014-01-26T04:28:43Z")
Back in the ancient times, I was only credited for 70% of UNDERWAY time, i.e. Deployment time as designated in my service record, and then only BM, SM, and QM were creditable. Maybe I just had a brutal evaluator , but that’s all I got credit for. (Late. 80’s) so don’t count your chickens prior to hatching. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![dacook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dacook](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/dacook)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 7:16am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/ab-unlimited-question/11936/29 "2014-01-27T07:16:24Z")
Don’t forget your RFPNW and 4 extra days for lifeboatman to get unlimited rate. Must have RFPNW to get hired at CHOUEST AB day rate. At least that is from my experience with the company. ---
**Author:** ![CGtug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ea924/32.png) [@CGtug](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/CGtug)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2014, 8:06am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/ab-unlimited-question/11936/30 "2014-01-28T08:06:14Z")
For the AB Unlimited question. Im active duty USCG right now about to get out to follow a Merchant Marine career. I been active for 10 years and Im a Boatswain Mate. I just got done with my BST,LB, AB classes in Mid-Atlantic In VA and GI Bill cover the whole thing. When i call the NMC with my U/W time the told me only 60% will count towards my AB ticket, and if im short for the unlimited all i have to do is wait until i get it and submit all the paperwork and they send u the sticker that says u are unlimited now. At lease thats the info i got. Good Luck ---
**Author:** ![PaddyWest2012](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/paddywest2012/32/2405_2.png) [@PaddyWest2012](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/PaddyWest2012)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2014, 8:44am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/ab-unlimited-question/11936/31 "2014-01-28T08:44:43Z")
[QUOTE=CGtug;129344]For the AB Unlimited question. Im active duty USCG right now about to get out to follow a Merchant Marine career. I been active for 10 years and Im a Boatswain Mate. I just got done with my BST,LB, AB classes in Mid-Atlantic In VA and GI Bill cover the whole thing. When i call the NMC with my U/W time the told me only 60% will count towards my AB ticket, and if im short for the unlimited all i have to do is wait until i get it and submit all the paperwork and they send u the sticker that says u are unlimited now. At lease thats the info i got. Good Luck[/QUOTE] How do you actually go about getting a record of your sea time from the USCG? I’ve never served myself but I have a friend who did four years with an honorable discharge and is now looking to claim his sea-time. He’s been out for about seven years now but I assume the military keeps personnel records for a good long time. Still though, even if they do have the records, what do you actually do as a former service member? Is it a lengthy and complicated process? ---
**Author:** ![CGtug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ea924/32.png) [@CGtug](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/CGtug)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2014, 8:50am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/ab-unlimited-question/11936/32 "2014-01-28T08:50:18Z")
[QUOTE=PaddyWest2012;129346]How do you actually go about getting a record of your sea time from the USCG? I’ve never served myself but I have a friend who did four years with an honorable discharge and is now looking to claim his sea-time. He’s been out for about seven years now but I assume the military keeps personnel records for a good long time. Still though, even if they do have the records, what do you actually do as a former service member? Is it a lengthy and complicated process?[/QUOTE] It can take up to 90 days to get it. Is call TOSS report. (Transcripts of Sea Service) [http://www.uscg.mil/ppc/ses/toss.asp](http://www.uscg.mil/ppc/ses/toss.asp) Is not a bad process. Just follow the info that the website ask you for and wait for it. I got mine is 2 weeks after I ask for it. Hope this helps. [Previous page](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/ab-unlimited-question/11936.md?page=1)