USCG Able Seaman Unlimited
Code uscg-able-seaman
USCG Able Seaman rating unlimited; STCW A-II/4 / A-II/5 endorsement available.
- Prerequisites
- bst, Sea service 1,080 days
- Duration
- —
- Validity
- 5 years
- Refresher
- every 5 years
- Typical cost
- ~$800 USD
Where to take this course
Country guides list accredited training centres in the major seafarer-supplying nations:
Related glossary terms
High confidence
Editorial confidence: how we grade. Data sources and methodology: /sources.
USCG Able Seaman Unlimited: FAQ
- What is the USCG Able Seaman Unlimited (USCG-ABLE-SEAMAN) certification?
- USCG Able Seaman rating unlimited; STCW A-II/4 / A-II/5 endorsement available. Category: National.
- Who needs USCG-ABLE-SEAMAN?
- USCG-ABLE-SEAMAN applies to seafarers in roles defined under STCW. Recommended prerequisites: bst, Sea service 1,080 days. Without USCG-ABLE-SEAMAN, operators may decline to roster you for the relevant duties.
- How much does USCG-ABLE-SEAMAN cost?
- Typical cost is around US$800 at an approved provider. Cost varies widely by country and training centre quality; many shipping companies cover the course fee as part of the contract. Check with your manning agent or fleet department before paying out of pocket.
- Where can I get USCG-ABLE-SEAMAN?
- USCG-ABLE-SEAMAN is delivered by approved training centres in most major maritime training countries. Use our /training-centres directory and the certifications-by-country filters to find an approved provider near you. The flag administration of your seaman's book may also publish a list of accepted providers.
- How long is USCG-ABLE-SEAMAN valid?
- 5 years from issue, with a refresher required every 5 years. Plan your revalidation course before the expiry date; lapsed certificates may require re-sitting the full course rather than a refresher, and operators may refuse to extend a contract while a critical certificate is expired.