United States Coast Guard
 

USCG Checklists
 

 
Prior to Reviewing the Avenues Available to begin your career as an Able Bodied Seaman we highly recommend you review our Career Guidance  page  to ensure that you wish to pursue this career objective.  Make sure you also visit our 'Jobs On-Board' page to review what companies are looking for.  Note:  This page is meant as guidance only, and by no means represents the only options of entering the Merchant Marine. 

                                                                                                                   Overview: The Able Bodied Seaman is the  Mid-Level position aboard a Tug / OSV and possibly the most marketable position.  The scarcity of entry level billets has made it extremely difficult to get the necessary sea-time (minimum 1 year) to obtain this valuable endorsement.  There are three Able Seaman Ratings, however for the Workboat Industry the Rating of AB Limited is generally the most valuable.

 

1.  Able Seaman Special - minimum 1 year sea-time

2.  Able Seaman Limited - minimum 18 months (1.5 Years) sea-time

3.  Able Seaman Unlimited - minimum 3 years sea-time

There is a tremendous shortage of Professional Able Bodied Seaman.  If you are looking for a career as an Able Seaman, the industry is looking for you.

Download the USCG Checklist for this position



 
                                                                                                                  The Hawsepipe Route:  This route to Able Bodied Seaman requires that you join the Merchant Marine as an Ordinary Seaman and work your way up the Ladder.  The minimum sea-time requirements are listed above.  If you do not currently have the required sea-time then please visit our 'Ordinary Seaman-Guidance to a Career' Pages to start you on your way.  If you already have the necessary sea-time, or are close to getting it, you will require some additional training / certification.

Vocational Route:  If you do not have the required sea-time for this position, then you may want to look at a vocational route to becoming an Able Seaman.  The only school that we currently know of that offers this 'vocational route' to Able Seaman is the Seattle Maritime Academy, which is a division of the Seattle Central Community College.  Please visit their link below for details about their 'Marine Deck Technology' Program.  This is a wonderful program, that involves time aboard their school ship, internships with industry, and placement services.

  1. Seattle Maritime Academy - Marine Deck Technology Program.

Upgrade Route:  If you currently have the requisite sea-time requirements or are close to meting these minimums, then you will be required to take some courses and/or do some self study to receive your Able Seaman endorsement. Below are the minimum requirements that you must have to become an Able Bodied Seaman to work on vessels operating within the ocean / near-coastal waterways.
  1. Basic Safety Training - 5 Day Program
  2. Ratings Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (Lookout Duties Only) - 2 Day Program with 2 months sea-time / or 6 months sea-time  doing the tasks listed in the RFPNW Assessment booklet.
  3. Lifeboatman - 4 Day Program
  4. Able Seaman Course - 7 Day Program or Self-Study and test and USCG