Merchant Shipping Act 1894

126 Rating of seamen.

(1) A seaman shall not be entitled to the rating of A.B., that is to say, of an able-bodied seaman, unless he has served at sea for four years before the mast, but the employment of fishermen; in decked fishing vessels registered under the first part of this Act shall only count as sea service up to the period of three years of that employment; and the rating of A.B. shall only be granted after at least one year's sea service in a trading vessel in addition to three or more years sea service on board of decked fishing vessels; so registered.

(2) The service may be proved by certificates of discharge, by a certificate of service from the Registrar-General of Shipping and Seamen (granted by the Registrar on payment of a fee not exceeding sixpence), specifying in each case whether the service-was rendered in whole or in part in steam ship or in sailing ship, or by other satisfactory proof.