Abled Bodied Seaman – Best Track to Becoming a Licensed Officer

AB to Mate Program Your Fast Track to Higher Wages

Fast Track to Licensed Officer

Having been a Maritime Career Counselor for over ten years let me give you straight advice starting with Able Seaman to Mate. Currently there are only two places that we at know of where you can take all of the required courses all at one time or as you can schedule them. They are at MITAGs in Baltimore and PMI in Seattle.

AB to Mate requires you to get in the “Professional Training” mindset. This process is not easy but it is very rewarding both professionally and financially if you have the fortitude, patience and desire to advance to the position of “Mate”.

Everyone upgrading to Mate (500 GRT Ocean, 1600 GRT Near Coastal and 3rd Mate/2nd Mate unlimited, Oceans), are ALL required to complete the same training that includes:

• 1080 days of Sea-service
• 180 Days as an AB
• 180 of documented bridge watch-standing
• 13 Separate Courses of Mandatory Training:
  • Terrestrial Navigation
  • Coastal Navigation
  • Compasses
  • Electronic Navigation
  • Medical Care Provider
  • Meteorology Basic
  • RADAR Observer – Unlimited
  • Search and Rescue
  • Emergency Procedures
  • Ship Construction and Basic Stability
  • Watchkeeping and Bridge Resource Management
  • Advanced Fire-fighting
  • Celestial Navigation (not required for Near Coastal Endorsement Only)

• Optional Courses are needed if you are assigned to vessels with specific duties or equipment, they include:
  • Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
  • Tankerman Person-in-Charge (TPIC)
  • Medical Person-in-Charge (MED PIC)

Note: License Preparation Course is NOT required but is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

You will receive a completion certificate for each course that must be submitted to the Coast Guard along with your license application.

All of these courses are required to be “Coast Guard Approved”. This approval process ensures that each course meets the international certification process of the STCW-95. All of these requirements are in accordance with the STCW-95 requirements and are outlined in the U.S. Coast Guard Policy Letter 01-02.

• 78 Assessments of Competency (skill)
• Note: a copy of all Assessment Control Sheets may be downloaded and printed by clicking here.