Able Bodied Seafarer with Lifeboat Limited
$975 (If LB Ltd practical is needed add $225.00) (ONLINE Version also available)
This 40 hour Able Bodied Seafarer classroom course is approved to include the Lifeboat exam. It will cover AB rating for vessels without lifeboats. If you work on a STCW covered vessel you will need Basic Safety Training and Proficiency in Survival Craft.
This course also includes the USCG Approved practical demonstration of competency in Knot Tying.
It states - This Able Seafarer course satisfies examination requirements of 46 CFR 12.405(a) for the Deck General and Navigation General, Deck Safety and Rules of the Road; AND the Practical Marlinspike Seamanship Demonstration requirement 46 CFR 12.405(c); AND the written "Survival Craft" examination requirements of 46 CFR 12.409 for any endorsement as Able Seafarer restricted to vessels without lifeboats.
However, you will have to show proof of 46 CFR 12.409, General requirements for Lifeboat-limited endorsements. 4) The practical demonstration must consist of a demonstration of the applicant's ability to - (i) Take charge of a rescue boat, liferaft, or other lifesaving apparatus during and after launch; (ii) Operate a rescue boat engine; (iii) Manage a survival craft and survivors after abandoning ship: (iv) safely recover rescue boats; (v) Use locating and communication devices.
If your vessel has a Designated Examiner aboard, that person can sign off the Lifeboat Ltd Practical Exercise. If not, we can provide that service aboard your local vessel or one of our assets. This service is an additional $225.00.
COURSE TOPICS
- Marlinspike Seamanship
- Shipboard Terminology
- Rules of the Road
- Aids to Navigation
- Watchstanding & Helm Duties
- Ship Construction
- Cargo Handling & Stowage
- Anchoring and Mooring
- Fire Firefighting
- Towing
- Deck Maintenance
- Shipboard Emergencies
- Marine Pollution
- Survival Craft Operation and Management (practical component)
EXAMS
Rules of the Road/Navigation: 50 questions: Need 70% or 35 correct.
Deck General and Safety: 50 questions. Need 70% or 35 correct.
Lifeboat: 50 questions. Need 70% or 35 correct minimum passing score.
Demonstration of competency in Knot Tying. - 10 knots in 15 minutes. Required Knots include Bowline, Square knot, Clove Hitch, Sheet Bend plus six additional knots selected by the evaluator.
NOTE: Sea Time IS Required for this endorsement.
ADDITIONAL NOTIFICATION -
The Coast Guard has reduced the sea time requirements for Able Seafarer Unlimited, Limited and Special applications processed between December 22, 2023 and December 22, 2026 to 50% of the time specified in 46 CFR.
AB Unlimited – 1080 (NOW 540) days deck service on Oceans or Great Lakes.
AB Limited – 540 (NOW 360) days deck service on vessels of 100 GRT or more, not exclusive to rivers & smaller inland lakes of the U. S.
AB Special – 360 (NOW 180) days deck service on navigable waters of the U. S.
ALL BELOW REMAIN AS STATED IN 46 CFR
AB OSV – 180 days deck service on navigable waters of the U. S.
AB Sail – 180 days of deck service on sailing school vessels, oceanographic research vessels powered primarily by sail or equivalent sail vessels on any navigable waters of the U. S.
AB Fishing – 180 days of deck service, not as a processor, on any navigable waters of the U.S. -“Combi” is not deck service
AB MODU – 360 days of service on vessels 65 feet or over on any navigable waters of the U.S.
Online Version
We partner with an online course provider to offer this option.
If you register through Chicago Maritime School you will have access to our experts for questions and additional help for exam preparation. We have recordings of in person classroom lectures, digital Student Workbook, and you can schedule in person time with an instructor in our classroom or online using Zoom or Teams. If you prefer lessor cost and no help, you can register directly with any number of online course providers.
Exams for the online course are typically completed online with a live proctor.