NauticalSkills Training Options Practical skills
- Gain The Scout Association Pulling Coxswain Award.
- Gain the BCU 3 Star Test (Kayak or Canadian).
- Pass the BCU Safety Test.
- Gain the BCU Inland or Sea Proficiency Award.
- Gain the RYA National certificate old adult level 2 or 3 or new Dingy Seamanship Skills
- Gain the RYA National Windsurfing Scheme Level 2 (inland or open sea).
- Gain The Scout Association Advanced Pulling Coxswain Award.
- Gain The Scout Association Pulling Instructor Award.
- Gain the RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Certificate.
- Gain the Community Boats Association Certificate.
- Gain the RYA Powerboat Level 2 Certificate.
- Gain the RYA old National Dinghy Certificate Scheme Level 5, new Dinghy Day Sailing.
- Gain the RYA Day Skipper/Watch Leader Certificate (Practical).
- Gain the RYA Motor Cruising Certificate.
Safety
- Explain the effects of temperature, wind and water on the body in cases of hypothermia and exhaustion. Explain the correct First Aid procedures.
- With another canoeist, demonstrate two methods of canoe rescue.
- Heave a lifeline from a boat to land within reach of a target eight metres away twice from three attempts.
- Acting as an assistant in a rescue exercise, board a stranded craft and bring it ashore single-handedly.
- Under sail, demonstrate the man overboard drill using a suitable object.
- Using a training manikin, demonstrate the correct method of ventilation.
- Demonstrate the capsize drill in a sailing dinghy.
- One other activity of a similar nature and level of achievement as agreed by the Section leadership team.
Boats and construction
- With other Members of the Section, clean and paint a boat.
- Under supervision, carry out repairs to a boat.
- Demonstrate an ability to do simple sail repairs, using a palm and needle.
- Build and look after a boat or canoe.
- Whilst afloat, construct and hoist a jury rig from available materials in a boat. Sail the jury-rigged boat 500 metres.
- Under supervision, carry out routine maintenance on an outboard motor and demonstrate the proper fitting to the transom of a boat.
- Make a boat's bag or sail bag.
- Build and demonstrate a working model of a boat. - One other activity of a similar nature and level of achievement as agreed by the Section leadership team.
Navigation
- Read a mariner's compass and have a knowledge of variation and deviation.
- Demonstrate how a position may be found using two bearings.
- Demonstrate use of tide tables and tidal stream atlases.
- Explain the system of strip maps of canals and rivers. Use one of these charts to plan an expedition.
- Demonstrate how compass error can be found from a transit bearing.
- Plot your position using a Decca or satellite navigation system.
- Plot your position at sea. Understand the cocked hat principle.
- Use a sextant to measure vertical angles.
- Complete a navigation exercise by day on water and know how to find North by sun or stars.
- Demonstrate how to take soundings in local waters, both with leadline and pole.
- One other activity of a similar nature and level of achievement as agreed by the Section leadership team.
Rope work and tradition
- Hoist the colours for a Sea Scout group. Pipe the 'still' and 'carry on' on a Bosun's Call.
- Demonstrate three further calls commonly used in a Sea Scout group.
- Make an eye splice, a short splice and a back splice.
- Make a rope fender or a decorative piece of rope work, for example, a lanyard.
- Demonstrate the correct method of maintaining and stowing ropes.
- Explain the differences in usage and stowage of natural and synthetic ropes.
- One other activity of a similar nature and level of achievement as agreed by the Section leadership team.
Meteorology
- Know the Beaufort wind and sea scales.
- Identify the basic types of clouds. Explain how they are formed, how wind speed is measured and how weather can affect water activities.
- Identify the weather associated with frontal systems in the United Kingdom, and be able to explain the meaning of the terms used in describing a weather map, for example, col, ridge, trough and occlusion.
- Explain how temperature and pressure are measured. List the units used for each, and demonstrate conversion between Celsius and Fahrenheit.
- Identify the weather conditions associated with the movement of air masses over the United Kingdom.
- Find the geostrophic wind speed from information given on a synoptic chart. Discuss its relationship to wind on land and in coastal waters.
- Be able to interpret a weather map and identify at least two natural signs for weather changes in your area. Set up a simple weather station and keep a logbook of your recordings for a month.
- Record a shipping forecast, make a weather map from it and be able to interpret it.
- One other activity of a similar nature and level of achievement as agreed by the Section leadership team.
Expeditions
- With friends, complete a one-day expedition by canoe, pulling boat or sailing dinghy.
- With friends, complete a 24-hour expedition by canoe, pulling boat or sailing dinghy, including a night spent in camp.
- Form part of a crew on an offshore cruising vessel for a trip of not less than 24 hours, including at least one night afloat.
- Form part of a crew on an inland cruising vessel for a trip of not less than 48 hours, including at least two nights afloat.
- Take part in a 50 mile expedition by canoe, pulling boat or sailing dinghy.
- As part of a crew, take part in a major event on the water, for example, the Tall Ships Race or the Great River Race.
Rules of the road and communications
- Know the distress, storm, fog and danger signals.
- Know the International Buoyage System (IALA).
- Know the sound signals used by powered vessels underway and at anchor.
- Know the navigation lights carried by different types of vessels. Identify at least three different types from the lights displayed.
- Have a working knowledge of the International Yacht Racing Rules and the Yardstick Handicapping Systems.
- Know the effects of currents on non-tidal waterways and the effect of heavy rain upriver, danger levels, rapids and wild water on two rivers.
- Be able to advise on suitable local moorings and anchorages for different types of craft and emergency landing places for small craft.
- Explain the systems of sea-lanes in national and international waters.
- Achieve a radio yacht licence.
- One other activity of a similar nature and level of achievement as agreed by the Section leadership team.