# What is an "equivelant position"? **URL:** \ **Category:** 500 Ton Master Upgrade\ **Created:** [May 14, 2013, 7:16pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/what-is-an-equivelant-position/10308 "2013-05-14T19:16:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bell47](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/bell47/32/52259_2.png) [@bell47](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/bell47)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2013, 7:16pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/what-is-an-equivelant-position/10308/1 "2013-05-14T19:16:00Z")
I work on a towboat and want to get my 500 ton inland mate. The nmc checklist says i need 90 days as an ab, boatswain, quartermaster or[U]equivelant position[U] while endorsed as an ab. There are none of these positions on a towboat, so would a tankerman be a " equivelant position"??? On our boats its deckhands, then tankermen, then wheelmen. ---
**Author:** ![PaddyWest2012](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/paddywest2012/32/2405_2.png) [@PaddyWest2012](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/PaddyWest2012)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2013, 9:49pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/what-is-an-equivelant-position/10308/2 "2013-05-14T21:49:09Z")
> [@"bell47"](#): > > I work on a towboat and want to get my 500 ton inland mate. The nmc checklist says i need 90 days as an ab, boatswain, quartermaster orequivelant position while endorsed as an ab. There are none of these positions on a towboat, so would a tankerman be a " equivelant position"??? On our boats its deckhands, then tankermen, then wheelmen. Deckhand while holding an AB is pretty much what you need. I couldn’t say for sure whether tankerman would count the same but I tend to lean towards yes on that one. Do you currently hold an AB ticket? I think the point behind this rule is that they don’t want you going from snot-nosed OS to running a bridge watch over night. I think the CG just wants to see some licensed responsibility time in between so that they feel confident in giving you the papers to let you move upstairs. If you don’t already hold an AB ticket then that is probably your next move. The person you want to ask is JDCavo. He is our resident license evaluator, and a pretty regular forum commenter. He was very helpful with some licensing stuff I had to figure out a few months ago and I’m sure he would have accurate answers to all your questions. ---
**Author:** ![bell47](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/bell47/32/52259_2.png) [@bell47](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/bell47)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2013, 10:07pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/what-is-an-equivelant-position/10308/3 "2013-05-14T22:07:46Z")
Thanks…yes, I have an AB Special tankerman barge PIC and a 100 ton inland master. ---
**Author:** ![jdcavo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/jdcavo/32/108_2.png) [@jdcavo](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/jdcavo)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 7:22am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/what-is-an-equivelant-position/10308/4 "2013-05-15T07:22:00Z")
[QUOTE=bell47;109407]I work on a towboat and want to get my 500 ton inland mate. The nmc checklist says i need 90 days as an ab, boatswain, quartermaster or[U]equivelant position[U] while endorsed as an ab. There are none of these positions on a towboat, so would a tankerman be a " equivelant position"??? On our boats its deckhands, then tankermen, then wheelmen.[/QUOTE] Deckhand or wheelmen while holding AB would count. Probably not tankerman, especially if the barge is not manned. ---
**Author:** ![bell47](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/bell47/32/52259_2.png) [@bell47](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/bell47)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 8:33am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/what-is-an-equivelant-position/10308/5 "2013-05-15T08:33:42Z")
I kind of thought a deckhand might be considered like an OS. Since tankermen on our boats are over the basic deckhands and do deck work as well…I thought it might be considered more of a supervisory type position. I don’t know. I’ve sent the nmc a email but not got an answer yet. ---
**Author:** ![bell47](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/bell47/32/52259_2.png) [@bell47](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/bell47)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 3:49am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/what-is-an-equivelant-position/10308/6 "2013-05-16T03:49:48Z")
The NMC just replied: " Your duties would be subject to review aand evaluation during the application process. If they are found to be the same as an AB you may be credited for the service." Ok… so I send everything in with a fee just to find out it “may be” what I need to get the ticket? Seriously?