Can I obtain my AB unlimited?

Professional Mariner Forum
1

Hello everyone!

This forum is awesome and I plan to use it religiously! Loving all the information.

So I have around 1,200 days of seatime on fishing vessels. Half if it on a 72 gross ton F/V and the other half done on a 33 gross ton F/V. I decided to stop fishing and obtained my OS. I know am working for a tug company and I am wanting to obtain my AB.

On the coastguard website it says that 1,080 days is enough to get your AB unlimited. Is there a tonnage involved with those days needed? The AB Limited says it requires days to be logged on a 100 GRT vessel, but the AB unlimited says nothing about tonnage.

I look forward to a response!

Thank you!

2

The AB unlimited has no tonnage requirements, but the 1080 days has to be on ocean waters as opposed to inland.

3

Apply for unlimited. Worse comes to worse when you get a response and if they need more information, you’ll find out if you are lacking anything and/or you evaluator needs clarification on something. Worst case you can very likely change your app, get ab-special then upgrade to unlimited down the road…

4

See 46 CFR 12.403(a)(1).

The minimum service required to qualify for the various categories of endorsement as able seaman is as follows:

(1) Able seaman—unlimited. Three years of service on deck on vessels operating on oceans or on the Great Lakes.

5

Your employment opportunities may be limited if you don’t also have the Able Seafarer Deck endorsement. Do you have RFPNW?