I have worked for 3 years as a tender/commercial diver in the GOM with Cal Dive International. I am making a career change into the maritime industry. I definitely have the 360 sea days for my AB special and my old boat was 285 Gross Tons. Neither I or Cal Dive have a written record of those days nor do I have a MMD. The USCG said that if I had the master of the vessel or Cal Dive to write a letter on their letter head stating I had 360 days on a boat over 100 GT and that I was doing deck work, it would be acceptable. Does the letter need to just state that I have 360 Days OR my precise days which are not known?
Also
What certs or proficiencies do I need to get an actual good AB job in the GOM and abroad. I have heard and read " AB class, Proficiency in Survival Crafts and the 4 part Basic Safety Training"
Is that correct or can I sub one of those for a less expensive course that will have equally the same effect when searching for employment?
[QUOTE=NathanHughes89;115261]… The USCG said that if I had the master of the vessel or Cal Dive to write a letter on their letter head stating I had 360 days on a boat over 100 GT…[/QUOTE]
The only AB endorsement with a tonnage requirement is AB limited, the rest don’t have a tonnage requirement.
Thanks for the input guys! It turns out that the USCG says that sea time days are 8 hours long, and my shifts were 12 hours long. So I actually have more than enough time to upgrade the from AB special to AB Limited. However As of 2 days ago I got hired on in the ROV field. I am going to be doing that from now on but I still plan on getting my MMD and AB limited as a back up.