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Course Details

Course Overview

***HOT OFF THE PRESS***

It has never been this EASY to get your Able Seaman rating. The sea time requirements been temporarily REDUCED so you must act quickly to take advantage! Below we’ve updated the sea time requirements for each level of this rating!

Classes are filling up quickly – reserve your seat right away.

Able Seaman (AB) rating is required to work on all ocean-going commercial vessels of greater than 100 gross tons.

Able Seaman is a deck rating that requires qualifying sea service experience. Each different AB rating will be based on qualifying sea service experience. All AB ratings require the mariner to complete an approved Lifeboatman (Proficiency in Survival Craft) Course.

The different levels of Able Seaman

AB Unlimited

  • Requires 540 days of qualifying sea service experience on the deck of vessels operating on the ocean waters or the Great Lakes.

AB Limited

  • Requires 360 days of qualifying sea service experience on the deck of vessels greater than 100 gross tons operating on the federally navigable inland waters of the US or on ocean waters.

AB Special

  • Requires 180 days of qualifying sea service experience on vessels operating on the federally navigable inland waters of the US or on ocean waters, including the Great Lakes.
Additional Requirements
  • 18 years old
  • Application form CG 719-B
  • Drug Screen & Physical
  • TWIC
  • Proof of Citizenship
  • Social Security Card
Course Covers:
  • Water Survival
  • Rules of the Road
  • Vessel Construction
  • Deck Gear
  • Anchoring
  • Basic Knots
  • Rigging & Wire Rope
Course Schedule

This course typically runs 5 consecutive days from 8am to 5pm

Office Locations

This course is taught at several different campuses including:

  • Bayou La Batre, AL
  • Ft. Lauderdale, FL
  • Jacksonville, FL
  • St. Petersburg, FL
  • Charleston, SC