Able Body Seaman

Presented by Seafarers Worldwide & The Northwest Maritime Academy

Tuition $900.

To register please call our office at 206 659 7178 or call Pat Boyle at 425 320 6441 or online at https://www.seafarersworldwide.com/event-info/able-seaman-33

This 4 day Able Seaman (AB) course is the starting point for all higher level certificates. This AB course also meets all the U. S. Coast Guard examination requirements, upon graduation the student may immediately transition to the next level course with no further U. S. Coast Guard examination requirements. Whether it be Lifeboat Limited certification or the standard Lifeboat certification, the follow-up course is staffed and ready to go. We will work to accommodate your schedule, and arrange for uninterrupted class days for swift advancement to the next level.

Course Duration: 5 Days (40 Hours)

Due to COVID–19, the Delta and Omicron variants, we are holding this class in two formats; One is a online telepresence format, this is led by Pat Boyle with comprehensive lesson to lesson instruction. The last day however must be completed in the classroom for the final exam and the knot practical. The second format is in the classroom. If you choose this format we abide by all COVID protocols; must must have had a vaccination shots.

In this AB course, you will learn how to safely and effectively participate as part of the deck department of a vessel. This means being aware of the obligations under Coast Guard regulations concerning safety and protection of the marine environment, and being able to take the practical measures necessary to meet those obligations. Whether you need the standard Lifeboat certification, a PSC refresher course, or Proficiency in Survival Craft Limited to complete your AB training requirements, you can avoid any extra hassle by taking the follow-up course with Seafarers Worldwide. We work to accommodate your schedule and arrange for uninterrupted class days for swift advancement to the next level.

Able Seaman (AB), is an MMC Rating issued by the USCG. More important, most seagoing vessels greater than 100 GRT need their crew to have an AB. To get an AB the mariner must: Firstly, have sea time on boats. And secondly, complete an approved AB course.

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 mariners sea time only. Therefor, 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.