Hello, I have about 183 days of seatime, I am trying to upgrade to AB or AB osv, can I go ahead I try to upgrade or is it worth it yet?
Also what can I do if I have that much seatime, I am really trying to level up it’s been difficult.
Congratulation on get 183 days of sea time. However, your sea time comment and your desire to upgrade creates a lot of background questions and has a lot of missing information.
First what industry sector did you serve with e.g. OSV, Towing, Small Passenger Vessels, Deep Sea Vessels, Fishing Vessel etc.? What was the tonnage and routes (Oceans, Near Coastal, Great Lakes or Inland) of the of the vessels? What duties did you have e.g. Did you stand navigation watches a.k.a. Ratings Forming Part of a Navigational?
The above information should be part of your sea letter. However more important is your general knowledge of the maritime industry gained on the vessel(s) you were on. Your upgrade from Ordinary Seaman to National Able Seafarer will possibly go well beyond your shipboard experience and knowledge. What experience do you have with Haglund cargo cranes and NMC Diagram D045DG? Questions regarding on this equipment has been used in previous Able Seafarer examination.
The following information comes from the NMC website which I highly recommend you become familiar with and tailor it to your professional career ladder. Look at the Checklist for Deck Ratings, Note to become and National Able Seafarer you will need an endorsement as a lifeboat Operator.
Next I recommend that you consider looking at the examination portal for Deck Ratings. Spend time on the list of topics that each exam module has. E.g. Able Seafarer Q450 Navigation and Rules of the Road contains five topics. Also, in my opinion there should be an additional topic for watch standing principles for this exam module.
Each topic creates a study road map which based on your bridge experience, require some self-study research on your part. E.g. the topic Aids to Navigation will discuss both the IALA A and B system. The same could be said for your knowledge and shipboard experience with International and Inland regulations for vessels lights and sound signals.
Finally In addition to what I have described above, you might consider getting possible additional documentation by looking at STCW assessment qualifications for Ratings Forming Part of a Navigational NVIC 06-14, and Able Seafarer – Deck NVIC 14-14. Both documents will provide structure as to things required for an upgrade to the National Able Seafarer. If possible, you should see if the vessel and the ship officers can sign off the assessment requirements. See Assessment Guidelines in each NVICs Enclosure 2. See Policy & Regulations
Hope this gets you started.
I worked on a ferry 500 tons and I also worked on a tender in Alaska and the vessel was 368 gross tons 130 ft 8 inches, and yes I was on watch for both jobs . Also thank you a lot for the information.
It’s absolutely worth it to upgrade for anything you can. Even if you don’t think you’ll ever use it.
Have you searched for the USCG AB Checklist? Able Seafarer - Deck?
If you are going to continue this career to be sure to learn about the licensing structure so you know what you’re eligible for and how much seatime & classes you’ll need to get there.
Did you work 12 hours days? Does your seatime letter say that?
AB Special and AB OSV each require 180 / 8 hour days (or 120 / 12 hour days). It sounds like you can qualify for AB Special and AB OSV. Apply for both.
I worked 12 hour days when I was working in Alaska.
& I worked 8 hour days on the ferry
Thank you for the reply. Now ensure the sea letter has the appropriate statements regarding the navigation watches. Participation in drills and random drug testing. These details will resurface as you collect more sea time and move on in your career. In the future you might consider a future position as 500-ton mate. The checklist which requires a documented statement as to having 180 days navigational watch standing under the supervision of mate or master.. Thinking about it now will prevent having to look for it in the future.
The same could be said about getting the shipboard assessment for RFPNW and Able Seafarer-Deck signed off. The assessments found in each document will surface in the National Able Seafarer examination. e.g. helm commands, lookout duties, watch standing procedures, marlinspike seamanship, blocks and tackles etc. Even if your vessel will not sign them off they are great as a training record book for future licensing upgrades. Also for future mate positions look at the NVICs for “Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch” assessments as a training tool and possibly needed for future position.
As you start your preparation for upgrade look hard at other license examinations that have similar topics to those I have indicated above as part of their credentialing process. E.g. look at the exam topics for mate 500 ton NC you may find similar topics as those presented for National Able Seafarer and may be exposed to different questions than those presented in your current examination. When skimming through higher licenses remember you will not be required show the same degree of knowledge of the upper-level topics or more difficult math problems but it does provide familiarity with the topic your researching. e.g.vessel structures and ship construction. Also focus on the diagrams used in each examination and your ability to identify what is being asked.
Do not forget to become familiar with the exam room materials available to you. It is my belief that certain questions are developed to test your knowledge on how to use the references.
Consider looking at the Navigation Rules questions for National Able Seafarer and those for presented in the Navigation Rules exam module for 200 ton Mate Inland.
Take a look at the 200 ton Mate Checklist see if it applies to something you might consider.
This should also lead you to consider doing some professional reading on certain topics. e.g. [weather topics] or(https://tdept.cgaux.org/AUXOP/AUXWEA/AUXWEA_SSG_10Oct16.pdf)
or navigation topics
Also when seeking future sea time focus the tonnage of the vessel you are going to. This is something that needs to be considered in future officer upgrades for let’s say 500 and 1600 ton Mate positions.
Again, I hope this helps you understand NMC credentialing and licensing structure.