How To Organize a Sea Scout Ship

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Steps to Organize a Sea Scout Ship

Step One

When an appropriate organization is selected to charter a Sea Scout Ship, the BSA council assigns an organizer to guide the following steps. This organization may be a church, civic club, school, labor union, maritime association or business, or other community group.

Step Two

The organizer and a council staff member visit the top person in the organization (pastor, president, CEO, etc.). They review the purpose and program of Sea Scouting and the responsibilities of the organization in chartering a Ship. The top person agrees to:

Commit the organization to support a Sea Scout Ship.
Inform the key leaders of the organization about Sea Scouting.
Recruit the adult Ship leaders.
Provide program resources and a meeting location.

Step Three

The organizer meets with the organization's key leaders. This may be an executive committee, church board, department heads, etc. The purpose and program of Sea Scouting are reviewed. The top person asks the key leaders to:

Support their Sea Scout Ship.
Help secure program resources and equipment.
Identify prospective adult leaders. These are men and women over 21 years of age who are of good character and have the ability to lead a quality Sea Scout program for youth.

Step Four

The top person and the key leaders invite these prospective adult leaders to an organizational meeting. The purpose, program, and leadership of a Sea Scout Ship are reviewed using the Sea Scout Manual. Sea Scout Officer Specialized Training, found in Sea Scout Officer Specialized Training Instructor's Guide, is also conducted. After these training sessions are completed, the organizer guides these prospective leaders to select a Skipper, two or more mates, and the Ship Committee. The organization's top person is involved in this selection. The job descriptions for these positions are found in the Sea Scout Manual.

Step Five

The Sea Scout Ship program capability inventory is completed. This is a list of adults in the organization who can help with instruction, resources, and equipment for Ship meetings, activities, and cruises. The Ship Committee secures the use of watercraft, as needed, for the Ship program, keeping in mind that the cost of operating and maintaining a large vessel may be prohibitive for a new Ship.

Step Six

The first 3 months of meetings and activities are planned and scheduled. These would include weekly or bimonthly Ship meetings, Saturday or weekend activities or cruises, and monthly Ship Committee meetings. The program for the first few Ship meetings might include the following:

Introduction to the Sea Scout program
Instruction related to Sea Scout advancement, particularly Apprentice
Discussion of Ship uniforms
Election of officers
Boating safety - Swim checks
Basic nautical skill instruction

Step Seven

Young adults are recruited to join the Ship. Names from the council career interest survey may be used. Announcements and publicity are developed. Prospective members could be recruited through schools, churches, and community organizations. Sons and daughters of members of the chartered organization can be invited.

The first Ship meeting (called a firstnighter) is carefully planned to provide an exciting program to attract prospects to join. "Hands on" maritime activities could be featured. The Ship leaders review the schedule of meetings and activities along with the structure, activities, and advancement opportunities in Sea Scouting. Leaders and members from nearby Ships may be invited to help. All new Ship members should purchase a Sea Scout Manual. Sea Scouts must be 14 years of age and have graduated from the eighth grade and be under 21 years of age. The organization determines if its membership is coed, all-female, or all-male.

Step Eight

The Ship is chartered by the BSA council. All members and leaders must be registered. Registration forms and information will be provided by the organizer. The charter and membership cards will be presented to the chartered organization at an appropriate occasion.

Step Nine

The new Ship members elect petty officers as soon as possible. The Skipper may appoint temporary petty officers until the Ship members know each other well enough to elect.

Step Ten

The Skipper trains the new petty officers using the Sea Scout Manual and Handbook for Skippers. A year's schedule of meetings and activities should be developed avoiding any conflict with school, church, or community events.

For Further Information

Full details of Sea Scout Ship organization, training, and Sea Scouting are found in the following publications available from the BSA council service center.

For new Sea Scouts and leaders:

Sea Scout Manual, No. 33239A

For Ship leaders:

Handbook for Skippers, No. ____ (not currently available)

For council organizers and trainers:

Sea Scout Officer Specialized Training Instructor's Guide, No. 23-339
Sea Scouting Council Guide, No. 6643A