So I have just made the mistake that I know I’ve seen on here before…I have an AB, BST, Lifeboatman and 100 ton NC/200 NC mate, but I don’t have RFPNW. I’m down in the Gulf looking for work and realizing that I really don’t have an “AB” as it applies to STCW-95…so what can I do to fix that?
1.Do I try to find an OS job? These seem fairly hard to find so far.
2.If I find and take one of the 2-day RFPNW “Lookout only” classes will this actually help in finding work? (Do I understand this correctly? It seems this class is set-up for this issue. Take the class, which gets you on bigger boats, which gives you the time to get the sign-offs for the full RFPNW complete.)
3.A simulator class, which seems like it is only useful if you actually have a current job and know you can get the rest signed off when you head back to work. Or am I not understanding this?
Thoughts? Suggestions? I’d really like to get over this hurdle and move on and up in my training and licencing.
Thanks in advance.
Also, my MMD reads “any unlic deck including AB” shouldn’t that say AB-special or -limited or something?
That’s where I’m confused…I have that on my MMD but I don’t have RFPNW how did that happen? Or shouldn’t I question that…I didn’t think I could get without it.
Or maybe I do. It means that I have an AB Unlimited, but it is not endorsed with STCW-95, greatly limiting what the AB is actually good for.
AB Unlimited is a US rating. It has nothing to do with RFPNW, which is an international / STCW rating. You could have either without the other. The problem is you cannot work without BOTH (outside the boundary line).
[QUOTE=Capt. Phoenix;62718]AB Unlimited is a US rating. It has nothing to do with RFPNW, which is an international / STCW rating. You could have either without the other. The problem is you cannot work without BOTH (outside the boundary line).[/QUOTE]
Ok that makes sense. Thanks.
Now can anyone explain the 2-day class part of this?
[QUOTE=Now can anyone explain the 2-day class part of this?[/QUOTE]
That is part of Int’l Regulations. For legal reasons, you must attend a class of a certain amount of hours. It is a measurement for the lawyers and bean counters that you were actually being trained on certain things that are mandated to be trained. Because you are working “beyond the boundary line” it is covered partially by international law and because the US is a signature to certain treaties blah, blah blah, blah, yadda, yadda, yadda… This was done for a number of reasons that we don’t need to go into right now.
Bottom line is what you have now makes you a better prospect so I would hire on a larger boat as an O/S so you can get the tonnage and then attend the class. Certain companies have the classes in house. Others you will have to pay for it out of pocket but you can write it off on your income tax.
Option one, find a job and sail as an AB on a 199 grt OSV - STCW RFPNW is not required.
Option two take the 2-day class, send application to REC and get the RFPNW (Lookout only) in a couple of weeks and then get service on an OSV over 200 grt and resubmit application for full RFPNW.
Option three find OS job on OSV over 200 grt and get service and assessents signed off by your Master 500 or more and submit application to REC for RFPNW.
Question - When did you first get and sail as an AB? I ask because there is an option four. They are:
Proof of one year of sea service in a relevant capacity within the deck department <i.e. AB> between [B]1 October 1986 and 30 September 1991[/B]; OR
Proof of completion of Navy PQS for both: Helmsman (No. 305) and Lookout (No. 302); AND maintained one year of sea service within every five years.
(U.S. Navy course approval for Helm & Lookout)
