Able Seaman (ALAVTC-1)

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Official Title: Able Seaman (ALAVTC-1)
U.S. Coast Guard Approved Class

Obtaining an Able Seaman endorsement is an important step in your maritime career.  In this course you will learn critical skills for becoming a safe and effective member of the deck department. Topics include anchoring and mooring operations, cargo handling, towing operations, bridge watchkeeping responsibilities, aids to navigation, COLREGs, marlinspike seamanship, fire and safety, and more.

Applicants successfully completing this course will satisfy the examination requirements of 46 CFR 12.405 for any Able Seaman endorsement.

Able Seaman (AB) is a deck rating that requires qualifying sea service experience and training. The AB rating that you receive will be based on your qualifying sea service experience. Please see the national maritime center’s website for sea-service requirements for Able Seaman ratings. It is strongly recommended that mariners currently have a minimum of 180 sea days prior to enrolling in this class.

Note: Able Seaman endorsements will also require additional classes including Basic Training and Proficiency in Survival Craft. Many shipboard Able Seaman positions may also require Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch.

• AB Unlimited requires 540* days of qualifying sea service experience on the deck of vessels operating on ocean waters.
• AB Limited requires 360* days of qualifying sea service experience on the deck of vessels greater than 100 gross tons operating 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.
• AB Fishing requires 180 days of qualifying sea service experience on the deck of vessels operating on ocean waters or the federally navigable inland waters of the US.
• AB OSV (Offshore Supply Vessel) requires 180 days of qualifying sea service experience on the deck of vessels operating on ocean waters or on the federally navigable inland waters of the US.

*Sea service requirements for Unlimited, Limited and Special are valid through 22 December 2026. After this date sea service requirements for these endorsements will be twice the number indicated here.

Course Details

Training Times:
M-F 0830 to 1600
Training Days:
10
Training Hours:
60.00
Training Dates:
03/10/25 to 03/21/25
04/07/25 to 04/18/25

Cost of Course

Tuition:
$780
Room and Board:
$1104 plus $16 linen fee
Books (Provided by AVTEC):
$135