The standing joke in the lifeboatman practical portion of the AB class is “...The good news is that you will only have to row and learn the oar commands ... Finding a ship with gravity davits, that will invite an outsider to participate in lowering drills, is no easy task. Schools that teach AB/lifeboatman courses often do a disservice to the mariner by suggesting this method of obtaining the required practical training, knowing full well that finding this arrangement is nearly impossible. Sea School, the College of Nautical Knowledge, admits to some guilt, in the past, in making this recommendation. However, today it can announce that its two-day U.S.