your AB will work better for you in this economy, you can go to school and do the RFPNW LOOKOUTS ONLY and get AB pay while you still work on the assessments for the full RFPNW
look at www.mpt.com and they can explain the RFPNW class that they have
ALSO ask sea school about the RFPNW PROGRAM that they might have with a local company
getting work now as an AB i think is easier that a 100-ton captain
in the current economy,
you will also need Basic Safety Training, a 1 week class to get your AB