On-line AB course recommendations

[Guampaul]

Good Day All,

By great good luck & perserverance (many apps) I snagged an O/S berth, 7/7 rotation.

I have enough "seatime" now for an AB Special and I am rapidly approaching the number for AB Limited. AB U/L will be out of reach as I do not wish to return to deep sea service which I left in 1969.

Does anyone know of a reputable on-line AB course for which a certificate of completion recognized by the USCG is issued?

Because of my watch rotation I do not have time off that will let me take an "in residence" course.

I am familiar with the offerings from mariner advancement, & uscg.com

Of course, I would welcome any and all recommendations for any route to an AB endorsement that would let me avoid the expense of an AB course.

BTW - the entire crew of which I am part consists of retreads, save one engineer who sails as DDE/oiler.

Many thanks,

Guampaul (hawsepiping @ 65)

[KneelbeforeZod!]

Guampaul,
You don't have to go to a school to take an AB test. All you have to do is submit the paperwork to the Coast Guard and they'll approve you (or not) to sit for your AB endorsement.

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text...2.12.4&idno=46

[Ea$y Money]

I do believe you would still need to attend a lifeboatman and marlinspike seamanship as I don't think those are offered at the testing centers. The lifeboatman is optional, but the marlinspike is necessary for the AB rating. Anyone know for sure?

[jdcavo]

I do believe you would still need to attend a lifeboatman and marlinspike seamanship as I don't think those are offered at the testing centers. The lifeboatman is optional, but the marlinspike is necessary for the AB rating. Anyone know for sure?

The practical tests for lifeboatman and marlinspike seamanship are not given at the RE$Cs. As they are practical, e.g. you have to demonstrate ability to do something like tie a knot or lower a lifeboat, they cannot be done on-line.

[seadawg]

start with these and do some research:

http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/checklists/M...B.pdf&B1=GO%21

http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/checklists/M...W.pdf&B1=GO%21
note the referenced CFR's and Policy letters!!

http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/w...6cfr12_09.html

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

suggest TWIC, MMC and STCW BST and maybe VSA if you don't already have them.

the AB courses I have taught included the "knot/splice practical" and PSC/Lifeboatman the "lifeboat practical".

**as yet don't imagine much of the required certification can be obtained via internet, boxtops, matchbook flaps, or "out the can"..maybe when the USCG starts recognizing the STCW documentation from Pakistan you will be able to "purchase" that online..I myself am ULC "minister" and "a Phoenix" working toward an MBA..BEST LUCK!!

[cappy208]

There are two ways to get the AB ticket, Go to a school, take the courses (two weeks) and you get a certificate to take to the CG to have the endorsement on your MMC. OR, buy the books, study guides, to take the exam AT the REC near you. But you will still have to take some courses either way.

Several of the required items you can have your captain write off on: Life raft use, Knots. Look over the CG website to find the appropriate wording they are looking for. You will need STCW if you want to move on and up. Safety, firefighting, social responsibility, and first aid. That is a 6 or 7 day course, which will set you back about a grand. Sorry, but you are REALLY going to have to take some courses.


And don't worry about the difference between special, limited and unlimited, it is the same exam, and just required you accumulate more seatime. That will come soon enough.

[CaptAndrew]

The practical tests for lifeboatman and marlinspike seamanship are not given at the RE$Cs. As they are practical, e.g. you have to demonstrate ability to do something like tie a knot or lower a lifeboat, they cannot be done on-line.

Is that for all REC's.? I was under the impression that it was just Miami, New Orleans and Houston that did not test the Marlinespike.

[CaptChris878]

Call me the outside of the box thinker but wouldn't the OUPV sign off sheets for marlinspike qualify? This would cover the demo part of it so in turn, you would just need the seatime, money, and app to get the endorcement. Or has my working in the BP clean up rotted my brain some?

[CaptAndrew]

Call me the outside of the box thinker but wouldn't the OUPV sign off sheets for marlinspike qualify?

That would just make sense and we know that and the CG do not always meet. And in any case for many (most?) people the AB comes before OUPV.

[seadawg]

RE: the "knot practical" and from the examination guide:

EXAMINATION
STRUCTURE
SHEET

NO.

7-9

Endorsement -

ABLE SEAMAN
Tonnage Group-
UNLIMITED, LIMITED, SPECIAL, SPECIAL OSV
Route-
ANY WATERS
Action-
MARLINSPIKE SEAMANSHIP ASSESSMENT
EXHIBIT
REQUIRED KNOT NOTE TIME LIMIT

One eye splice OR short splice, strands must be whipped Required 15 Minutes

Bowline Required 15 minutes for all 10

Square Knot Required 15 minutes for all 10
Clove Hitch Required 15 minutes for all 10
Sheet Bend Required 15 minutes for all 10
Carrick Bend May be one of six additional
demonstrated 15 minutes for all 10
Rolling Hitch May be one of six additional
demonstrated 15 minutes for all 10
Stopper Hitch May be one of six additional
demonstrated 15 minutes for all 10
French Bowline May be one of six additional
demonstrated 15 minutes for all 10
Stage Hitch May be one of six additional
demonstrated 15 minutes for all 10
Running Bowline May be one of six additional
demonstrated 15 minutes for all 10
Bowline on a Bight May be one of six additional
demonstrated 15 minutes for all 10
Fisherman’s Bend May be one of six additional
demonstrated 15 minutes for all 10
Timber hitch May be one of six additional
demonstrated 15 minutes for all 10
Catspaw May be one of six additional
demonstrated 15 minutes for all 10
Figure Eight May be one of six additional
demonstrated 15 minutes for all 10
Barrel Hitch May be one of six additional
demonstrated 15 minutes for all 10
Round Turn and Two Half Hitches May be one of six additional
demonstrated 15 minutes for all 10
Double Becket Bend May be one of six additional
demonstrated 15 minutes for all 10
* REQUIREMENT 46CFR 12.059(c)
All applicants for an Able Seaman Endorsement must demonstrate knowledge and ability to make
principal knots, bends, splices and hitches.
A total of ten knots must be successfully demonstrated within a 15 minute time limit. Four are
required, six additional knots must be chosen from the list.
Applicants must successfully demonstrate seven of the ten knots and successfully demonstrate the
whipping to successfully demonstrate proficiency.
* ASSESSMENT NOTES
1. Spliced line may not be reused.
2. The demonstration must be completed at a USCG approved facility/school.
3. A standard format Letter of Proficiency may be accepted in lieu of the marlinspike seamanship
demonstration.
MCP-MA-NMC2-03 (01)
3 - 82
ABLE SEAMAN LETTER OF PROFICIENCY
IN MARLINESPIKE SEAMANSHIP ASSESSMENT
Person Observing the Demonstration
1. Your assistance in administering the practical portion of the Able Seaman examination required under
46 CFR 12.05-9

(c) is appreciated. Certification of the mariner’s ability to demonstrate proficiency in performing the
marlinspike skills listed in ESS 5-9 will enable the issuance of their Able Seaman’s certification.

2. The demonstration of ability shall be witnessed by a designated examiner as part of an approved or accepted training

course, a vessel Master or other officer licensed for service on vessels of over 200 gross registered tons, an appropriately

trained Coast Guard Officer, or a responsible person authorized in writing by the Officer in Charge Marine Inspection.

To: Officer in Charge Marine Inspection (Regional Examination Center)

Subj: Certification of Performance of Practical Ability

This is to certify that I observed a successful demonstration of the applicant's proficiency, as indicated on the reverse, in the

principal knots, bends, splices, and hitches in common use by:

Applicant’s Name:

Mariner Reference Number:
CERTIFIED BY:
Name:
Mariner Number:
Title, Rank or Rate:
Vessel, Office or Course:
Signature:

Date:

**THE TWO HIGHLIGHTED STATEMENTS SEEM TO CONTRADICT EACH OTHER??

[jdcavo]

Is that for all REC's.? I was under the impression that it was just Miami, New Orleans and Houston that did not test the Marlinespike.

At least some of the RECs gave the knot-tying exam. My first hand knowledge is about 18 monhs old, but at that time all the RECs gave the marlinspike exam. I won't dispuite more recent information that some are not. None of the RECs are giving the lifeboat practical, the only options are to take an approved course, and for domestic (not STCW) endorsement only, have the Master of a vessel sign off.

[jdcavo]

...And in any case for many (most?) people the AB comes before OUPV.

Not really. Many if not most OUPV holders do not have an AB endorsement. In fact, the sea service for OUPV (one year) is less than is required for some of the AB endorsements.

[Guampaul]

Seadawg,

Thank you for the time & effort spent drafting this reply. It is not my intent to circumvent the system, but rather I am trying to avoid duplicating training in residence (expensive) for which I can already demonstrate competency (received from USCG Auxiliary, US Navy & USMM civilian employment) by testing on-line or at a proctored location, ie "Rules of the Road", etc

I was hoping to learn of mariner's opinions regarding the extant on-line AB courses that can be found with any search engine.

Thank you again for your reply. It has been helpful.

Sincerely,

Guampaul

[seadawg]

Guampaul,

you are most welcome..always glad to add contribute to the confusion on here!!