Able Seaman (AB) and Lifeboatman (LB) General, Sea Service and Other Requirements by U.S. Coast Guard
An Able Seaman (AB) is a merchant marine rating of the deck department of a merchant ship and is a crew member who is below the Officer who holds a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) in the deck department. An AB can work as a watchstander or a day worker. The AB can apply to become an Officer after sufficient sea service. USCG specifies different kind of rating in accordance with the duties involved and seagoing experience -
AB Unlimited: AB Unlimited is qualified for unlimited service on a vessel on any waters, is at least 3 years service on deck on board vessels operating at sea or on the Great Lakes. Unlimited means an annotation on an MMC authorizing service on vessels of any tonnage or any propulsion power.
AB Limited: AB Limited is qualified for limited service on a vessel on any waters, is at least 18 months service on deck on board vessels of at least 100 gross tons or an alternate tonnage prescribed operating on the oceans or navigable waters of the United States (including the Great Lakes).
AB Special: AB Special is qualified for special service on a vessel on any waters, is at least 12 months service on deck on board vessels operating on the oceans or the navigable waters of the United States (including the Great Lakes).
AB OSV: For service on a vessel of less than 500 gross or an alternate tonnage prescribed and engaged in support of exploration, exploitation, or production of offshore mineral or energy resources. An individual may be rated as able seaman-offshore supply vessels (OSV) if the individual has at least 6 months service on deck on board vessels operating on the oceans or the navigable waters of the United States (including the Great Lakes).
AB Sail: For service on a sailing school vessel on any waters, an individual may be rated as able seaman-sail if the individual has at least 6 months service on deck on sailing school vessels, oceanographic research vessels powered primarily by sail, or equivalent sailing vessels operating on the oceans or navigable waters of the United States (including the Great Lakes).
AB MODU: The Ordinary Seaman with an experience of one year on vessels at least 65 feet in length is eligible to be an AB-MODU for use in a mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU) for well operations.
Lifeboatman: Lifeboatman is a mariner who is qualified to take charge of, lower, and operate survival craft and related survival equipment on a vessel equipped with lifeboats as well as liferafts, rescue boats, and other survival equipment.
Lifeboatman-Limited: Lifeboatman Limited is a mariner who is qualified to take charge of, lower, and operate liferafts, rescue boats, and other survival equipment on vessels that only have liferafts, rescue boats, and other survival equipment.
You may also read: International Maritime Organization (IMO) STCW requirements for Able Seafarer (Deck)
National Able Seaman and Lifeboatman Requirements
General Requirements for USCG Able Seaman & Lifeboatman
- Must have U.S. Citizenship OR be an alien admitted for permanent residence.
- Age: 18 years of age.
- TWIC (Transportation Workers Identification Card)
- Medical Certificate
- Drug testing compliance (within 6 months)
- Sea Service letters or discharges
National Able Seaman Requirements
USCG A/B Seaman Sea Service Requirements
- AB Unlimited: 1080 days deck service on Oceans or Great Lakes
- AB Limited: 540 days deck service on vessels of 100 GRT or more, not exclusive to rivers & smaller inland lakes of the U. S.
- AB Special: 360 days deck service on navigable waters of the U. S.
- 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.
Requirement for all ABs
- Qualify as Lifeboatman or Lifeboatman-Limited (See Lifeboatman below)
Exam/Course Requirements
- Course completion certificate in lieu of Coast Guard examination or Cost Guard Examination
USCG Lifeboatman Requirements
Sea Service Requirements
- 180 days service in any department of vessels AND successful completion of an approved course, OR
- 360 days service in any department of vessels on ocean, coastwise, inland, and Great Lakes routes AND
Practical Demonstration of Abilities Lifeboatman
- Prove to the satisfaction of the Coast Guard, by actual practical demonstration of abilities, knowledge of seamanship and the ability to carry out effectively all the duties that may be required of a Lifeboatman as listed in 46 CFR 12.407. Applicants may qualify by:
- Completion of the Proficiency in Survival Craft (PSC) assessments marked as Both AND PSC and also marked as Exam contained in NVIC 04-14 or
- Completion of a Coast Guard approved course.
Practical Demonstration of Abilities Lifeboatman- Limited
- Prove to the satisfaction of the Coast Guard, by actual practical demonstration of abilities, knowledge of seamanship and the ability to carry out effectively all the duties that may be required of a Lifeboatman - Limited as listed in 46 CFR 12.409. Applicants may qualify by:
- Completion of the Proficiency in Survival Craft (PSC) Limited assessments marked only as Both AND LTD and not also marked as Exam contained in NVIC 04-14, or
- Completion of a Coast Guard approved course.
Exam/Course Requirements
- Course completion certificate in lieu of Coast Guard examination or Coast Guard Examination
- Lifeboatman Course completion certificate that meets both the Practical Demonstration of Abilities and written examination must have been completed within 1-year of the application date to meet all examination requirements.
USCG A/B Examinations
Disclaimer: For general information purpose - please check with USCG for the latest requirements and accurate info.