Need assistance

[DONNIE]

I currently have a 100 ton masters, AB/OSV and stcw. I have an oppotunity to work as an AB on a tug boat.
Will I qualify with these tickets?
Thanks for your reponse

[seadawg]

no..but the STCW BST VI/1 endorsement will allow you to work as OS on offshore tugs..if you qualify for upgrading to AB special/limited/unlimited then that would allow to sail AB on most US offshore tugs..would think that should be an easy transition for you..BEST LUCK!!

[DONNIE]

Thanks seadawg, that is what I thought. Any idea who offers that in the Houston area, I checked with Houston marine and they do not.
Thanks again for the reply.

[Capt. Ken Wahl]

I'd go to Mobile, AL. They give you room and board (no charge) and they have the Life Boat Gravity Davits right there on site. 800-247-3080

I spoke to some people who were raving about them, they loved it there. USCG approved AB/LB courses.

[Capt. Ken Wahl]

Oh yeah, if you fly into Mobile, they'll pick you up and drop you off for free too. What a deal.

[seadawg]

Thanks seadawg, that is what I thought. Any idea who offers that in the Houston area, I checked with Houston marine and they do not.
Thanks again for the reply.

if you currently hold an AB/OSV you may only need to "show time" to upgrade..would depend on when and what courses you took when you got your AB/OSV..as in AB, lifeboat, RFPNW courses and the RFPNW accessments..check with your local REC..if not check w/ http://www.mamatrains.com/sanjac/ in Pasadena..they may be of assistance??

FYI..while Ken Wahl and Sea School will "get er dun"..not my first choice..there are other closer and possibly cheaper alternatives closer to Texas!!

[DONNIE]

Thanks to all

[Capt. Ken Wahl]

DONNIE,

Just do your homework and call at least 5 schools. Then you'll decide which YOU like..

Prices are very competitive even before factoring in Room, Board & Transportation costs.

[CaptAndrew]

I'd go to Mobile, AL. They give you room and board (no charge) and they have the Life Boat Gravity Davits right there on site. 800-247-3080

I spoke to some people who were raving about them, they loved it there. USCG approved AB/LB courses.

You would not be related to the Late Ron Wahl of Seaschool infamy would you. Is that why you happen to have the phone number on hand? And "spoke to some people"

[Cal]

It may have been an oversight, but after 13 months of processing I doubt it, my AB Limited was issued without having taken Lifeboat or RFPNW. I was told the limited was because I didn't have those and in order to upgrade to an AB Unlimited I would need them. Had I not gone through the license program I had I may have never gotten them. There are no lifeboats on any of the Tugs I have worked on so it is practically useless knowledge (not completely mind you). While I see RFPNW as a necessity for assisting in the Wheelhouse or Lookout duties, it evidently wasn't that important to the CG or the company I work for.

[Capt. Ken Wahl]

CaptAndrew,

Yes,

You can pick your friends, but you can't pick who your father is... and.. if you need, I can give you the phone number to every school I can find on the internet. It doesn't matter who I am, good advice is, good advice. I earn nothing for giving it away.

I believe its important to help newer seaman, by passing along skills we've pick up by someone who helped us out years ago.

[seadawg]

While I see RFPNW as a necessity for assisting in the Wheelhouse or Lookout duties, it evidently wasn't that important to the CG or the company I work for.

from the NMC "checklists" for AB:http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/checklists/M...B.pdf&B1=GO%21

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





<TABLE dir=ltr border=1 cellSpacing=2 borderColor=#000000 cellPadding=7 width=775><TBODY><TR><TD bgColor=#ffffff height=12 vAlign=top width="38%" colSpan=2>Lifeboatman Requirements







</TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff height=12 vAlign=top width="31%" colSpan=3>46 CFR







</TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff height=12 vAlign=top width="31%">INT







</TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#ffffff height=16 vAlign=top width="26%">All AB ratings MUST

qualify as Lifeboatman or Lifeboatman-Limited

See Lifeboatman (PSC) checklist

</TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff height=16 vAlign=top width="18%" colSpan=2>12.05-3

12.05-9

</TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff height=16 vAlign=top width="55%" colSpan=3>PQEB






</TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#ffffff height=12 vAlign=top width="54%" colSpan=4>






</TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff height=12 vAlign=top width="46%" colSpan=2>






</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

<TABLE dir=ltr border=1 cellSpacing=2 borderColor=#000000 cellPadding=7 width=775><TBODY><TR><TD bgColor=#ffffff height=12 vAlign=top width="54%">STCW – Optional






</TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff height=12 vAlign=top width="46%">II/4 & A-II/4






</TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#ffffff height=16 vAlign=top width="54%">Rating Forming Part of a Navigation Watch

See

RFPNW checklist

</TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff height=16 vAlign=top width="46%">12.05-3

12.05-7

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[seadawg]

I can give you the phone number to every school I can find on the internet.

regarding schools and courses..again from the NMC site: http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/approved_courses.asp

[DONNIE]

Again thank you all for your valuable FREE information.

[tugboat146]

I always find it amaizing that people come here for advice on license and document information. While there are many salty and down right crusty sailors in gcaptain with excelent advice, the fact remains. NO ONE has as vested intrerest in your future like you do...Go to a store, go online and look at the rule book. It is called CFR46 parts 1-40 in it you will find about 20 pages that will guide you thru the rest of your career. You may actually find a different way to skin the cat so to speak.

[seadawg]

tugboat 146,

IMHO..speaking as one of the "salty and down right crusty sailors" to whom you might be referring..your point is valid..have in the past requested that what I post here be viewed as opinion and nothing more..with the exception of the "links" that are referenced of course..IMHO any other consideration is "fool's folly"..once again and as always CAVEAT EMPTOR!!

** now intend to begin all future posts with IMHO respectful to those who might be somewhat "challenged" regarding this concept!!

IMHO..suggest we shoot the horses and eat the missionaries or vice-versa..as you like it!!

[cappy208]

I always find it amaizing that people come here for advice on license and document information. While there are many salty and down right crusty sailors in gcaptain with excelent advice, the fact remains. NO ONE has as vested intrerest in your future like you do...Go to a store, go online and look at the rule book. It is called CFR46 parts 1-40 in it you will find about 20 pages that will guide you thru the rest of your career. You may actually find a different way to skin the cat so to speak.

Your comment does have some validity.... However, the CG and the CFR's are still not the easiest thing to navigate around for a newbie. Doublespeak and confusion still reign.