Another RFPNW thread

Maritime Employment
1

Hi gCaptain folks!

I’ve been using the search (and read the policy letter) but there is a list I would like to see that I can’t seem to find.

I’ve recently received my AB Special and I was dismayed to find that though all of a sudden I get responses to my job enquiries, almost all the responses include the question “do you have RFPNW?”.

I’m looking for a list of RFPNW “Prorgams” not “courses” mind you but “PROGRAMS” where I actually spend time at sea on a vessel over 200tons. I’m willing to pay to go to sea if I can get my RFPNW out of it… Also considering volunteering with mercy ships.

Any suggestions would be appreciated, seems like its nearly impossible to get work on a vessel over 200 tons without the endorsement, and getting RFPNW without the time is no go unless you enroll in a ‘program’ the only one i’ve found seems to leave it up to the student to find the placement on a boat and get the time as an ‘intern’. People are getting the endorsement somehow. I’d like to be one of them.

2

oops, i jumped the gun on posting. answer to my own question is here

AVTEC - Alaska’s Institute of Technology P.O. Box 889 Seward, AK 99664 (800) 478-5389

Training Resources, Ltd., Inc. 2556 McCain Rd. San Diego, CA 92101 (510) 704-8978

those are the only ones listed on the NMC website

3

i still think they might just give assessments though, i’m giving them a call

4

I called, but couldn’t get anyone with real answers yet. I’ll update when I do. Still looking for input from people with more experience.

5

Call LE Fletcher’s in Houma. They do a class that will get you RFPNW restricted to “lookout duties only”

6

It’s not a program, but might be an easier way to get on bigger vessels.

7

Stay away from TRL out of san diego they rip you off they tell you that the class bypasses the asesments but I learned the hard way that is not true. My own fault really that taught me to always research on my own instead if listening to schools that will tell you whatever you want to hear

8

You can get RFPNW, RFPNW ( LOOKOUT ONLY) and RFPNW ( Assessments Only) at Fletcher Technical Community College.
All assessment are completed on a simulator.
985-857-3658

9

Whatever you do, don’t take a lookout only course. They are essentially worthless.

10

Check with PMI in Seattle if you are on the left coast.

11

[QUOTE=Robert;64776]Whatever you do, don’t take a lookout only course. They are essentially worthless.[/QUOTE]

How are they worthless? They allow you to receive an STCW and go to work. Many years ago I had one until I garnered the required sea-time and it allowed me to get AB pay.

12

lookout only course doesn’t qualify for full STCW and can’t be renewed after 1 year… not what I want… and requires at least 90 days (12 or 8 doesn’t matter still 90) of onboard training on a ship over 200 tons, plus 90 more on a vessel that qualifies as seatime towards an AB, plus full RFPNW assessments either on a vessel over 100 tons with qualified person (see policy letter) or more assessments in a simulator.

I am looking to find a way to get the 90 days time on a vessel over 200 tons, or a “program” that includes it, but it seems though both of these schools have approved “programs” it is up to the student to find a boat to get the time on… useless as far as I can tell, if you can get the time you just need the assessments…

I know a few guys who got sold “lookout only” from fletchers, they insist they have RFPNW, but they would be sorely mistaken if they tried to get a job that required it, i’m fairly sure of it.

13

PMI also seems to only offer assessments and the “lookout duties only” thing, for whatever its worth.

14

Consider going to work for NOAA as an AB. They will hire you as an AB special and currently have several openings on usajobs website. They will help you get the rfpnm (that’s how I got mine) with no course required. If you factor federal benefits and overtime into the base pay you will make between 60k and 70k a year as an ab special. Being a newbie 95% of your time onboard will be as a watchstander anyway so you will get the sea time and the assessments signed off wthout any problem. Pm me with any questions

15

[QUOTE=stanton.samuel;64814]lookout only course doesn’t qualify for full STCW and can’t be renewed after 1 year… not what I want… and requires at least 90 days (12 or 8 doesn’t matter still 90) of onboard training on a ship over 200 tons, plus 90 more on a vessel that qualifies as seatime towards an AB, plus full RFPNW assessments either on a vessel over 100 tons with qualified person (see policy letter) or more assessments in a simulator.

I am looking to find a way to get the 90 days time on a vessel over 200 tons, or a “program” that includes it, but it seems though both of these schools have approved “programs” it is up to the student to find a boat to get the time on… useless as far as I can tell, if you can get the time you just need the assessments…

I know a few guys who got sold “lookout only” from fletchers, they insist they have RFPNW, but they would be sorely mistaken if they tried to get a job that required it, i’m fairly sure of it.[/QUOTE]

“Lookout Only” is exactly that “LOOKOUT ONLY”, it allows a person the chance to get on a q[FONT=Helvetica]ualifying vessel , so they can get your 180 days or 60 days ( whichever the case may be) of training and experience associated with navigational watchkkeeping and the involved duties under the direct supervision of a Ship’s Officer. It cannot be renewed-who would want to renew a ‘lookout only’ rating.

Full STCW-what is that exactly? You either have STCW certification or you do not, right?
[/FONT]
The courses offered by the schools mentioned in this thread are approved through the NMC, all candidates must meet a certain criteria to be issued any USCG or STCW document. If you only qualify for 'Lookout Only" there is not much that can be done at least there is an avenue for people to get certification.

16

A person might want to renew a lookout only certificate if it took them some time to get a job, and then some time to get the training, and it expired before they could upgrade to unrestricted RFPNW. If you need 180 days time, it takes a month to get a job and your boat works and even time schedule you could be stuck. Also its not clear to me that if a COI requires RFPNW that the lookout only certificate allows you to fill that spot. I’ve considered NOAA. Looks like mercy ships only helps if you volunteer for two years minimum. I’m not trying to get a special loop hole. I just was trying to gather together information about what the most straight forward way to jump through this hoop is. I actually want to work in the engine department eventually, but looks from my angle like the best way in is to work on deck, bust my rear and express intrest until someone is willing to train me to work in the engine room.

17

You actually cannot renew a “Lookout Only” certificate. It is a one shot deal.

18

yeah, the lack of renewal is one key reason why I’m not going to get one.

19

If I remember correctly, there are only 3 schools that can do the full blown unlimited simulator for the RFPNW. One is on the left coast and the other 2 are on the right coast, the one that comes to mind is MPT out of the Fort Lauderdale area. They have an Unlimited Master teaching, assessing, and signing off on you. All of the others schools, you will have to take the assessment class and then get signed off while working.

20

[QUOTE=Emerald Shellback;65063]If I remember correctly, there are only 3 schools that can do the full blown unlimited simulator for the RFPNW. One is on the left coast and the other 2 are on the right coast, the one that comes to mind is MPT out of the Fort Lauderdale area. They have an Unlimited Master teaching, assessing, and signing off on you. All of the others schools, you will have to take the assessment class and then get signed off while working.[/QUOTE]

I did mine at L E Fletcher in Houma, LA, somewhere around Dec., 2009. Reasonable price, and even more reasonable because of grant money covered tuition.