You will be participating live on a set schedule.  All course presentation times are PST (Pacific Daylight Time) UTC/GMT -8 hours Pacific Time.

Equipment:

You need a computing device with a webcam, and microphone.  We need to see you, and we need to hear you.  No smart phones, the screens are too small.  iPads and tablets are also not acceptable, laptops, and desktops are preferred.

Internet Connection:

Reliable, broadband internet connection. Keep use by others of the connection to a minimum to ensure a consistent connection.

Learning Space:

You must be in a distraction free space for the duration of each class. Background interruptions, such as family, pets, office traffic, street noise should be mitigated to the maximum degree possible.  You should place a sign someplace conspicuous to warn those around you that you are in a class, and that anyone within camera range can and will be seen and heard.

Attendance:

You must me logged into the classroom 30 minutes before class begins for roll call and attendance logging.  This is a requirement for class participation, and mandated by the United States Coast Guard.  This will also allow for enough time for any communication with instructors to troubleshoot any connection problems before class begins.

Student Study Guides and Training Chart:

You will receive your Student Study Guides  three (3) days before class begins.  These Items are non refundable, and are valued at $350.00 USD.  Should you cancel your enrollment to the class, this must be done one week before class starts, or you will be charged for your student materials.

Prerequisite's

You Must be an American Citizen *

*Non citizens holding a valid green card

• 18 years of age

• A minimum of  180 days for AB fishing or AB sailing and 360 days of sea experience for AB Special. A “day” at sea is anything more than four hours in a twenty-four hour period.(for details go to:“Documenting Sea Time” SFWW will guide you through the formalities of documentation. Prior to registering for class however, you should “rough out” your sea time to be reasonably sure that you meet the minimum 180 day requirement.

•TWIC card (go to: “Communications” button on Home Page”. This is NOT a prerequisite, but will have to be obtained before applying for license.

• Birth Certificate or Valid Passport

• Completed SFWW Class Registration Form and deposit sent to your class location

 

Documenting Sea Time

Prior to the start of class, you should begin organizing your sea time. Practice by using the sea time forms USCG Sea Time Form as a guide. We will be formalizing your time in class, so use this only as a rough draft.

Particulars:

Review the following to get a feel for Sea Time requirements and how to document your time.

There are six AB ratings. Each is a different level. The higher the level, the more vessels the AB is qualified to work on. To explain, AB levels are based on the mariner’s sea time only. Therefore, advancement to a higher-level AB is base of sea time alone.

The highest level is AB Unlimited. This AB requires 1080-days of sea time, on oceans. And additionally can work on any type of size vessel.

AB Limited is one level lower. This AB requires 540-days of sea time, on oceans. And can work on any type of vessel less than 1600 GRT.

One level lower is AB Special. This AB requires 360-days sea time on ocean, or navigable inland waters. Additionally, this AB can work on any type of vessel less than 500 GRT. To clarify, this AB is good for any towing vessel.

AB Fishing, AB Offshore Supply Vessel (OSV), and AB Sail are the lowest AB level. Each requiring only 180-days of sea time. And additionally, limited to one type of vessel.

One “day” is considered a minimum of 4 hours underway in a 24 hour period. Time at anchor or dock is not considered.
The time you are acquiring is an estimate based on log books or memory
You may use time acquired since your 16th birthday
You may use time on your own vessel (proof of ownership will be required i.e. an old registration or bill of sale), private or commercial vessels.
Time on working vessels or friends vessels may be documented by using the USCG Sea Time Form or a letter with the information. See: Sample Sea Service Letter
Make sure you include the registration # or documentation # of each vessel used. The Coast Guard will not accept forms without vessel ID #
Use a separate form for each vessel. See: USCG Sea Time Form
For Gross Tonnage see Determining Gross tonnage and work the formula for the type of vessel
Identify the waters (Inland or Near Coastal) that the vessel was on for evaluation.

Time on rowing vessels will not be considered.
Time acquired on military vessels is up to 60% applicable. Your local Coast Guard REC will provide you with forms for military time.

Preparing for Class

• Register to reserve your place in class!
• We will ask for proof of citizenship
• Find your Birth Certificate or Passport. Apply locally for certified copies if necessary.
• Start organizing your sea time. This will be thoroughly discussed the first night, but begin outlining. This can be a complicated process, but here are the basics:
• You are trying to accumulate a minimum of 180 days for AB Fishing or AB Sailing or AB OSV, 360 days of sea time for AB Special. See Documenting Sea Time. This may be on your own vessel (easiest) or on a friend’s, family’s, or working vessels. One day is considered four or more hours. An afternoon cruise would suffice.

CHECKLIST

Able Seaman Telepresence Course

The following checklist is everything you need to apply for your Able Seaman Credential.  Included are links to the various forms you may print out from this site. SFWW suggests that you use it as a guide when compiling your file of documents for your license application evaluation. This is a complete list and will satisfy all Coast Guard requirements for evaluation for Able Seaman Credential.  These items should be compiled, copied (for your records) and presented in person to the REC you are dealing with. Two forms of personal identification will also be needed when turning these in at the REC. You may schedule on line appointments by going to http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/rec_information.asp and selecting your local REC.

___ Seafarer Worldwide Course certificate

(Issued upon graduation-present original, it will be returned

after evaluation)

___ TWIC Identification Card

You must have registered for TWIC card prior to application evaluation

___ Coast Guard Application Form (CG-719B)

Download form under “Downloads” on Home Page

___ Sea Service Form (CG-719S)

___ Physical Examination Form (CG-719K)

Download form under “Downloads” on Home Page

(must be within 12 months of application)

___ Drug Test Report 5 substance SAMSHA (CG-719-P)

(within 6 months of application)

___ Proof of Citizenship

(present copy of Birth Certificate or Baptismal Certificate or current

U.S. Passport then provide original when taking oath at CG REC.)

___ First Aid/CPR Certification

(must be within 1 year of application date and only Red Cross or

American Heart Association, HSI or ASHI courses applicable.  Find classes here)

___ User Fees

(Check or money order payable to U.S. Coast Guard-$100 evaluation

with application, then $45 issuance at time of Oath)

Frequently Requested Downloads

USCG Application Form (general application for License)

Resources:

The following are links or contacts pertinent to the maritime industry and are all used in our curriculum. Scroll down and link to the publication of intrest.

National Maritime Center

http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/

The main site for all your communication with the Big Boys.

Here you will find the latest information concerning your

application, updates, new procedures, etc. Also available are “fillable” forms. In short, it has it all.

Regional Exam Centers

Contact Information

Information and links to contact local Coast Guard and Regional Exam Centers (REC) regarding applications and licensing. Addresses, phone numbers and web addresses are provided

On line appointments for REC

http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/rec_information.asp

As part of the ongoing merchant marine licensing centralization project all RECs are now set up for on-line appointments. Mariners desiring an appointment at an REC (including Seattle) may do so by first clicking on the link above, then clicking on the appropriate state where the REC of their choice happens to be located. So for example, to make an appointment at REC Puget Sound (Seattle), first click on the link, then on Washington State, which then maps you to our particular REC’s web page, which then contains a link for appointments.

As stated on the web page, mariners are highly encouraged to make an appointment prior to coming to the REC. In other words, those who took the time to make appointments will take priority over walk-ins.

TWIC

https://www.uscg.mil/nmc/twic/default.asp

Original Licensed captains will need to apply for and obtain a Transportation Workers Identification Credential. TWIC is basically an ID card. Information is available at the site above. Hint: go to TWIC FAQ’s and scroll down to find locations of enrollment centers. You also can pre register and facilitate the process for a smaller fee. You will need to bring your SS card, Drivers License or Passport or Birth Certificate. In most cases, you may show up at the TWIC center on a first come basis.

A receipt for your TWIC card is accepted for application filing.

Currently there is a 6 week turn around and fees are $129. Renewals are currently $60 (every 5 years). It is NOT required that you renew your TWIC – and if you opt for this then go to “Downloads” for waiver form.

On line status of your License application

http://homeport.ug.milsc

Here’s a new feature that allows either individual applicants (and/or employers of same) to check on the status of one’s merchant marine application on-line. Simply follow the below steps:

1. Click on blue address above to link to web site

2. Click on the “Merchant Mariners” link located on the left side.

3. Click on the “Merchant Mariner Application Status”

4. Enter the mariner number / application ID, or the last name, last four digits of SSN, and date of birth.

Seafarers Hats, Shirts and Gear

http://www.seafarersworldwide.com

Notice To Mariners

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/lnm/d13/

As of April, 2004 the Coast Guard is no longer printing Notice To Mariners. They are only available electronically. This site should work.

Light List

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pubs/LightLists/LightLists.htm

Light Lists are available for viewing and downloading at this link however the General Information front matter is not available at this time

Coast Pilot

http://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/nsd/cpdownload.htm

Coast Pilots are now being published privately.

They also may be viewed and downloaded at this link

Chart No.1 Symbols, Abbreviations and Terms

http://chartmaker.ncd.noaa.gov/mcd/chart1/chart1hr.htm

This publication is still being published by the government but

may be viewed and downloaded here.

Rules of the Road

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/mwv/navrules/navrules.htm

The definitive publication of the rules published by the Department

of Homeland Security. We include this text in hard copy for all

classes, but it may be downloaded and viewed here as well.

Rules of the Road study shareware

http://www.navrules.com/uscgaux/

This is a good shareware program for studying the Rules. It fits

nicely into our class discussion of the Rules.

Home Study preparation

http://www.boatsafe.com/uscgboat/index.htm

This site offers actual Coast Guard Exam questions on the

various subjects encountered at the REC testing. If you are using our home study program to prepare for CG examinations it is a

good site to utilize.

Code of Federal Regulations

http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/index.html

The complete CFR is now available at this link

Gross Tonnage Calculation

http://www.uscg.mil/hq/msc/T3/cg5397/cg5397.form.htm

This is a Coast Guard generated gross tonnage calculation program that you can use to determine the gross tonnage of your vessel. It is simple to use and does the calculations automatically after plugging in specs.

Vessel Documentation Center

http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/vdoc/nvdc.htm

This site will get you information concerning your Documented

vessel.

Vessel Documentation Data retrieved using craft name

http://www.st.nmfs.gov/st1/commercial/landings/cg_vessel2.html

This will search for information on a documented vessel using

the name of the vessel

Vessel Documentation Data retrieved using craft registration #

http://www.st.nmfs.gov/st1/commercial/landings/cg_vessels.html

This will search for information concerning your vessel using the

registration #

Knot Tying

animatedknots.com

ropeworks.biz

Great sites for learning those knots!