Sea Scouting is a co-education program offered to young adults
between the ages of 14 and 21. It's a chance to learn and have fun
at the same time. Sea Scouts learn to sail, to row, and to keep a
boat in shape. Scouts cruise local waters or go sailing on long
cruises far from home. They can learn to Scuba dive and take care
of boats. They'll be active in camping, social events, tours,
regattas, excursions, and seamanship contests. Scouts also have a
chance to develop maritime skills that can lead to careers later
on.
Purpose
Sea
Scouting is organized to promote better citizenship and to improve
members' boating skills and knowledge through instruction and
practice in water safety, boating skills, outdoor, social,
service experiences, and knowledge of our maritime heritage.
Sailing
and Cruising
Most Sea Scouting
units, called ships, have sailboats or power vessels for learning
to sail and cruise. During the boating seasons, every member has a
change to try his hand at the tiller, to trim the sails, and all
members are taught safe and proper methods of handling boats. Sea
Scouts also learn the meaning of buoys and lights, how to take
advantage of wind and tide, and how to drop anchor or approach a
dock. Day, weekend, and long cruises are held for all ship
members.
Maintenance and Repair
A boat
owner takes pride in the condition of his boat. Each spring he
sands, scrapes, caulks, and paints until it is trim and shipshape.
Sea Scout vessels are no exception. A significant part of our
Sea Scouting program is teaching and learning methods of boat
maintenance. Most ships center at least a portion of their program
around maintaining their ship's floating equipment.
Meetings
Most
ships hold regular, weekly meetings either at their chartered institution
or aboard their vessel. Many are formal meetings conducted in either
full dress of work uniforms with ceremony. Swimming, lifesaving,
first aid, Coast Guard Auxiliary Sailing and Seamanship, and cardiopulmonary
resuscitation courses are taught with the ship by our own officers.
The state safe boating course is also offered by many ships. These
courses are open to the public. Occasionally movies are shown, contests
between crews are held, or inter-ship visits are arranged.
Skills
Taught
Sailing,
cruising
Marlinspike seamanship -- use of line, knots and splicing
Piloting — learning the aids to navigation,
reading charts
Rules of the Road
Small Boat handling
Radio — qualify for Marine radiotelephone
F.C.C. operator license
Boat maintenance
Engines — maintenance of inboard and
outboard engines
Maritime careers
Electricity
Weather
Sailing — technique and parts of the
boat
Boats — identification of boats, teaching
and commanding a crew under oars and sail
Ground Tackle — anchoring, proper
use of anchors, identification and use of fittings on board
Galley — learning to prepare food
and to buy provisions for a long cruise
Safety — fire, man overboard, etc.
Sea and Maritime History
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
State Safe Boating course
First Aid
Swimming, Lifesaving, SCUBA certification
Entry
Requirements
Be
at least 14 years of age *
Attend and observe 1 meeting
before filling out application
Pay new member fee
* Girls 11-17 can
join our sister ship Mariner Scout Ship 1548 (Click
HERE
for details)
Learn More
A
wealth of information is available over the Internet at the Sea
Scouting web site. The web site includes program, training,
activities, and contact information to help you fully understand
the Sea Scout program. It also includes
an extensive library of training, program materials, and artwork
for downloading.