SSS Sea Dogs

There are BSA training requirements to be a Skipper or Mate of a Sea Scout Ship, and other requirements to be a Committee Member of a Sea Scout Ship, and still other requirements for boat safety that come from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) or the Coast Guard.  The Ship will reimburse fees for all required training.

All registered adults in Ship 59, and all adults who go on overnight Ship 59 sails (even if they are not registered adult leaders) must take Venturing Youth Protection Training at least every two years.  This is available online from the BSA\'s Online Learning Center.  You can complete the training in about a half hour.  Print out the certificate and bring it to a Ship or Committee meeting.  There are no exceptions to this requirement.

All persons who wish to take the helm of a boat under way in the Chesapeake Bay must complete the MD Boat Safety Course.

All registered adult leaders who serve as Skipper or Mate must have all of the following training:

1. This is Scouting (available free at the Online Learning Center.)  Take one time only.
2. Venturing Youth Protection Training (available free at the Online Learning Center.)  Take every two years.
3. Sea Scout Adult Leader Basic Training (taught at University of Scouting and at the Winter Training Weekend) Take once.
4. Boating Safety Course, such as the MD Boat Safety Course.
5. Safety Afloat (available free at the Online Learning Center.)  Take every two years.
6. Safe Swim Defense (available free at the Online Learning Center.)  Take every two years.
7. Weather Hazards training (available free at the Online Learning Center.)  Take every two years.
8. BSA Swimmer\'s Test.  Required (once) for all participants.

In addition, the following critical on-the-water knowledge and skills are required of both youth an adults.  You can learn these in the safety briefings before each sail and while underway, but you do need to learn them.

Critical on-the-water Knowledge and Skills. Regardless of rank or age, these are the things you need to know to participate safely in on-the-water activities.
a.    Name 5 pieces of mandatory safety equipment on each boat and describe the use of each.
b.    What channel on the VHF is the emergency channel?  When and how do you hail the coast guard on that channel?
c.    You are at the helm of a sailboat under sail.  What actions do you take for a man overboard?
d.    Where are the fire extinguishers?  What actions do you take with a DC electrical fire?
e.    Where are the hull penetrations below the waterline?
f.    Where are the bilge pumps?  How do you use each type?
g.    Tie a bollard hitch (clove hitch on a pile), bowline, figure 8 knots.  What are their applications on a sail boat?
h.    Where are the batteries and electrical panel?  Where is the main battery breaker?
i.    What actions do you take to prepare for heavy weather like a thunderstorm or supercells?
j.    What corrective actions can you take when you run aground or lose your engine? (This is more of a thinking question since we lose engines all the time and run aground all the time.)
k.    Name 5 aids to navigation and find them on a chart.
l.    Using a chart, plot a course from Bodkin across the bay to Rock Hall and return. Give exact bearings, aids to navigation, depth information. Minimize time spent in commercial shipping channels.