I just got the AB special, took the PSC class, but will need the sea time on vessels over 200 GRT to get RFPNW, right? Will companies down there hire you as AB without it?
[QUOTE=“cowboy;116703”]I just got the AB special, took the PSC class, but will need the sea time on vessels over 200 GRT to get RFPNW, right? Will companies down there hire you as AB without it?[/QUOTE]
No, but you are much more likely to get an OS spot that orangeblitzkrieg that has never worked on a boat before but wants the company to pay for his $1,000 BST class.
In other words, having seagoing experience counts for a lot and will let you beat out all the green deckhands even without being an AB. They don’t need nearly as many ABs as they have, they just prefer it.
Beware the benzene.
Okay thanks for the info. I am trying to cross over from passenger vessels. I have a 500 grt master inland and 150 grt master NC. Figure I need to get a deck hand job to get that sea time to turn the inland 500 to Near Coastal…
[QUOTE=“cowboy;116761”]Okay thanks for the info. I am trying to cross over from passenger vessels. I have a 500 grt master inland and 150 grt master NC. Figure I need to get a deck hand job to get that sea time to turn the inland 500 to Near Coastal…[/QUOTE]
If your goal is to be in the wheelhouse, why not sail on your 150-ton NC on a boat over 50, less than 150 tons. Without having the references in front of me, I believe you will need just 360 days, and the experience will be more applicable. Or am I missing something …
some companies,like seacor,yes you do have to have RFPNW. not all companies…maybe running a crewboat is the way fwd for you… get abit more relevant experience and work towards uprading your ticket at the same time… kind of spinning my wheels abit working for seacor as an AB with 1600ton masters ticket waiting for wheelhouse gig to be made available…lots of companies to speak with ,you just need to present yourself in the bayou ready to ship out… good luck.
I have a hard time deciphering the sea time requirements. 500 NC says 1080 days total, 540 of which must be on oceans or near coastal waters. But does the 360 days I had to show for he 150 NC license count?
[QUOTE=“cowboy;116781”]
I have a hard time deciphering the sea time requirements. 500 NC says 1080 days total, 540 of which must be on oceans or near coastal waters. But does the 360 days I had to show for he 150 NC license count?[/QUOTE]
My reading of the checklist is that you will need 540 days near coastal or ocean, 360 of which must be as master or mate over 50 grt.
The near coastal time you’ve already submitted will count towards your total 540 days near coastal and 1080 total, but you’ll still need the 360 sailing on that license on vessels over 50 grt, assuming you already have 360 days using your license inland.
That’s how I decipher it anyhow.
That’s 12 calendar months on a 28/14 schedule with 12 hour days.
[QUOTE=“cowboy;116781”]
I have a hard time deciphering the sea time requirements. 500 NC says 1080 days total, 540 of which must be on oceans or near coastal waters. But does the 360 days I had to show for he 150 NC license count?[/QUOTE]
Actually, if you already have 720 days on your license, maybe it is just a matter of 180 more days on near coastal or oceans water.
Yes! That is what I am hoping for. I guess a crew boat under 150 GT would do the trick. Thanks for the input!
[QUOTE=“cowboy;116804”]
Yes! That is what I am hoping for. I guess a crew boat under 150 GT would do the trick. Thanks for the input![/QUOTE]
You might seek confirmation regarding my interpretation based on your actual sea service. I am not a licensing consultant, I only play one on the boat, occasionally. 
Yeah I will for sure.
I believe you can get hired, but without RFPNW you cannot steer or hold a watch, so you limit your chances of being hired because you cannot perform to the fullest, compared to ABs who have it.
Seems like a catch 22… How do you get the seatime for RFPNW if you can’t get hired?
Ok sorry misread your post. So you CAN get hired, as on OS I guess? So I need 180 days on a vessel over 200grt.
Checklist says:
Ratings Forming Part of a Navigation Watch (RFPNW)
Note: 50% of required service must be on vessels at least 200 GRT / 500 GT.
180 days of approved seagoing service associated with navigational watchkeeping functions and involve the performance of duties carried out under the direct supervision of the master, OICNW or RFPNW; or
An approved course, plus approved seagoing service specified by the course/program; AND
Assessments 1-1A through 3 -2A;
Note: must be signed by 2nd Mate or higher (Master 500/1600 – OK) employed on the vessel & holding an appropriate STCW; also, all steering & helm assessments occurred on a vessel of at least 100GRT or a full mission simulator of at least 200 GRT / 500 GT.
Does my sea time as Captain <100GRT count towards 50% of the 180 days?
[QUOTE=cowboy;116781]I have a hard time deciphering the sea time requirements. 500 NC says 1080 days total, 540 of which must be on oceans or near coastal waters. But does the 360 days I had to show for he 150 NC license count?[/QUOTE]
Yes. The same time can be used as long as it meets the other criteria for the service.
How about exams? I know I will have to take more STCW courses, but what modules are different for NC?
Several schools can giver you RFPNW including L. E. Fletcher in Houma
[QUOTE=cowboy;116987]Ok sorry misread your post. So you CAN get hired, as on OS I guess? So I need 180 days on a vessel over 200grt.
Checklist says:
Ratings Forming Part of a Navigation Watch (RFPNW)
Note: 50% of required service must be on vessels at least 200 GRT / 500 GT.
180 days of approved seagoing service associated with navigational watchkeeping functions and involve the performance of duties carried out under the direct supervision of the master, OICNW or RFPNW; or
An approved course, plus approved seagoing service specified by the course/program; AND
Assessments 1-1A through 3 -2A;
Note: must be signed by 2nd Mate or higher (Master 500/1600 – OK) employed on the vessel & holding an appropriate STCW; also, all steering & helm assessments occurred on a vessel of at least 100GRT or a full mission simulator of at least 200 GRT / 500 GT.
Does my sea time as Captain <100GRT count towards 50% of the 180 days?[/QUOTE]
You can get AB OSV w/RFPNW through a USCG approved course. This circumvents the “catch 22” of having significant seatime on vessels of low tonnage on domestic voyages. This info should be on the USCG’s checklist for RFPNW and AB. I have enough time under my 100 T for a AB Unl but the RFPNW is the cream filling, so I did a simulator at MPT in FL to get it signed off. AB’s without it are no better than OS’s in the GOM from what I understand. I intend to get it signed off at sea for my AB Unl in due time.