Sea Scout Adult Leader Basic Training

It is the mission of Seabadge Underway (SBU) Training to provide basic vessel operation training to Sea Scout and other adult Scout leaders, with little vessel experience, to help prepare these leaders to operate a Sea Scout vessel in a safe and productive way under moderate conditions. It is also the mission of this course to provide experienced vessel operators with training in the methods and objectives of operating a Sea Scout vessel to achieve maximum benefit to the youth involved in Scouting’s programs on the water

Objectives

By the end of this course the SBU student should be able to:

• Properly inspect a vessel to determine if it is properly equipped to get underway and has aboard the safety equipment that is required by law and is recommended for prudent operation.
• Demonstrate the ability to navigate using dead reckoning, GPS, and other navigation equipment that may be on the training vessel.
• Demonstrate basic deck skills including tying basic knots, handling ground tackle, and deploying various lines utilized for coming alongside.
• Set the watch and supervise the navigator, helmsman, and lookouts.
• Properly identify aids to navigation.
• Conduct safety drills including man overboard, fire, abandon ship and rescue.
• Have a working knowledge of the International and Inland Rules of the Road and BSA Safety Afloat policies.
• Have a working knowledge of the responsibilities of the Sea Scout Skipper and other adult leaders and knowledge of proper unit operations including adult leader relationships with Sea Scout youth leaders.
• Develop the ability to determine if an adult vessel operator is competent, safe and in compliance with local and federal law and is managing the vessel in accordance with BSA and Sea Scout policy.
• Identify tools and materials available to assist in training of Sea Scout youth leaders.
• Safely operate a small auxiliary vessel with outboard (dinghy)
• Know and demonstrate Sea Scout customs while underway.
• Have knowledge of the Sea Scout philosophy regarding the development of leadership skills and seamanship skills in youth members while underway.

Participant Requirements

A student does not need sea experience to attend this course but must come prepared. For the inexperienced vessel operator a great deal of effort must be expended to prepare for this course. Not completing the course is usually the result of poor preparation.. Please review the below pre-requisite tasks and training.

1. Applicants must have a good working knowledge of basic coastal navigation. This may be achieved by reading the Sea Scout Manual, taking a US Power Squadrons (USPS) or US Coast Guard Auxiliary course in piloting. It is highly recommended that the student successfully complete the USPS Piloting level course prior to taking this course. Applicants will be given a navigation test to be completed at home and must pass this test. Mastery of these basic skills is imperative for success in this course. A similar test will be administered during the course. All students must pass this navigation test.
2. Applicants must be able to tie all 15 knots required for Sea Scout Apprentice and Ordinary ranks including a cleat hitch within a three minute time period. See section on knot tying in this manual.
3. Applicants must be in good physical condition, able to manage 16 hour days, and must submit a pre-qualification BSA Medical Examination Form and be qualified for “High Adventure” activities including meeting the height and weight standards. Applicants must be able to swim 200 meters. BSA medical form available at:http://www.scouting.org/filestore/HealthSafety/pdf/part_c.pdf
4. Applicants must currently be registered as an adult Sea Scout leader, Scout leader or Professional Scouter. (If not a Sea Scout leader, there is a great deal of preparation that will be required).
5. Applicants must study and master the contents of the “Safety and Seamanship” chapter of the current Sea Scout Manual. A test covering this chapter will be given to applicants to complete at home. Applicants must pass this test prior to attending this course. All students must pass a final seamanship test to complete this course.
6. Applicants must have completed Venturing Youth Protection Training.
7. Applicant must have a complete dress white or dress blue official Sea Scout Leader’s uniform with insignia placed as set out in the Sea Scout Manual or if in another Scouting program, must have a dress uniform for that program. (The New Century uniform)will be accepted as a dress uniform.)
8. Applicants must have complete basic first aid and CPR and must have a current card.
9. Applicants must have completed Sea Scout Adult Leader Basic Training (SSALBT).Course applicants must meet the following minimum standard requirements prior to consideration for participation in a Seabadge course:

Uniform Requirements

Students and course staff will be in Sea Scout working uniform at all times. The course director will utilize the national Sea Scout adult leader khaki work uniform (or the New Century uniform) with either short or long pants and will provide students with a list of required uniforms and personal equipment in advance of their arrival. A list of personal equipment required for the course will be furnished to the student when the course director customizes the Student SBU Manual for his or her course. Students will bring a dress white or blue uniform as set out in the Sea Scout Manual or if not a Sea Scout leader, a dress uniform as set out in the Scout Manual.