Courses Available

The following is a list of training sessions which are available to Scouts and adults;

1.   Americas Boating Course
NASBLA approved. Meets State Requirement  (presented by United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 6-8)

2.   Venturing Leader Training

3.   Sea Scout Officers Training  (Sea Scout Manual Required)

4.   Seamanship/Marlinspike Seamanship

(5) Seamanship: Using both large and small line, tie and explain the use of the following knots: square knot, bowline, clove hitch, sheet bend, two half hitches, figure-of-eight, and cleat hitch. Demonstrate the ability to use a heaving line.
Reference: See "Knots" on page 127 and "Heaving a Line" on page 154.
Web Reference: Apprentice: Requirement 5
Web Reference: Knots on the web
Web Reference: Knots

(7) Marlinspike Seamanship: Using line appropriate to the craft you normally use, tie the following knots and explain the use of each: overhand knot, stevedore's knot, bowline on a bight, timber hitch, rolling hitch, marline hitch, midshipman's hitch, and double bowline (French bowline).
Name the various materials used for rope, the advantages and disadvantages of each, and the characteristics of laid and braided rope. Understand the meaning of lay, thread, strand, and hawser.
Demonstrate the ability to secure a line to pilings, bitts and rings, and to coil, flake, and flemish a line. Know how rope is sized and measured. Demonstrate how to cut and heat seal a synthetic line.
References: See "Rope" on page 123 and "Knots" on page 127.

5.   Communications/Radio

(10) Communications: Name the three principal methods of visual signaling and explain the advantages and limitations of each method.
Name the three principal types of radiotelephone equipment in marine use and demonstrate your knowledge of correct radiotelephone procedures.
References: "Communications Signaling" on page 220 and "Radiotelephone Procedures" on page 198.

 (17c) Radio: Demonstrate the correct procedures to transmit and receive radiotelephone distress (Mayday), urgency (Pan), and safety (Security) messages, as well as normal traffic.
References: See "Radiotelephone Aboard Ship" on page 197, and Marine Radio Could be a Lifesaver (U.S. Coast Guard).

6.   Piloting/Navigation/Compass

(9) Piloting: Explain the degree system of compass direction. Explain variation and deviation, and show how corrections are applied to correcting and uncorrecting compass headings assigned by your consultant. Name relative bearings expressed in both degrees and points. Be able to report objects in view and wind directions with respect to the boat, and know the duties of a lookout. Name three kinds of devices used aboard ship for measuring speed and/or distance traveled and, if possible, demonstrate their use. Make a dead reckoning table of compass and distances (minimum three legs) between two points, plot these on a chart, and determine the final position.
Note: It is best if this requirement can be met while under way. If this is not possible, it may be simulated, but the courses and charts used must be those in the normal cruising area of the ship.
References: See "Piloting and Rules of the Road" on page 170 and "Speed Logs" on page 201 

(9) Piloting: Understand the system of aids to navigation employed in your area, including buoys, lights, and day marks, and their significance and corresponding chart symbols. Read in detail a National Ocean Service chart, preferably for the area normally cruised by your ship, identifying all marks on it. Explain the use of tide tables, current tables, light lists, and how to update a chart using the Notice to Mariners.
Describe the deck log kept aboard your ship's principal craft. Keep a complete log for three cruises.
While on the water, determine a fix of your position from three or more visual bearings and plot this position on a chart.
Note: This is difficult to do in small sailing or power craft. Arrange for a larger, more stable craft if needed. Check with your ship's officers.
Reference: See "Piloting and Rules of the Road" on page 170 and "Navigation and Weather" on page 223.

15) Navigation: Understand the systematic division of the earth's surface by latitude and longitude. On Mercator charts, place the coordinates of maritime positions and locate positions on charts when furnished with coordinates.
Demonstrate your ability to fix your position by the following methods: lines of positions on two known objects, running fix, and estimated position.
Discuss the method for establishing a radar fix. Lay a course and execute it using dead reckoning.
Establish distance from a known object using "double the angle on the bow" and explain how to set a danger angle.
Discuss how GPS (Global Positioning System) operates, the purpose of way points, and the use of set and drift.
Note: If this requirement cannot be met under way, the skills should be demonstrated using charts of the ship's normal cruising area.
References: See "Charts" on page 206, "Latitude and Longitude" on page 224 and "Dead Reckoning" on page 209.

(18c) Compass: Box the compass to 32 points and demonstrate your ability to compute the degree heading for each point. Describe the relationship between the 32 points and the relative bearing system using points.
Reference: See "Mariner's Compass" on page 171.

7.   Basic Sailboat Racing Rules

8.   Time

(11) Time: Understand Universal coordinated time (Greenwich Mean Time) and zone time, and demonstrate the ability to convert from one to the other for your local area. Name the seven watches and bell time. Understand the 24-hour system of telling time.
References: See "Time" on page 228 and "Watches and Bell Time Contest" on page 36.

9.   Sailing

(16) Sailing: Name the principal parts of the masts, booms, spars, standing and running rigging, and sails of a gaff- or Marconi- rigged sloop, schooner, and ketch or yawl.
Describe the identifying characteristics of a sloop, ketch, yawl, cutter, and schooner.
Reference: See "Larger Sailing Craft" on page 265 and appendix A.

10.       Drill

(18a) Drill: Demonstrate your ability to execute commands in close-order drill.
Reference: See "Drill Ship Formations and Movements" on page 44.

11.        Signaling

(18b) Signaling: Send and receive semaphore messages using proper procedures at a rate of at least 30 letters a minute.
Reference: See "Semaphore" on page 22

12.        First Aid 

(13) First Aid: Meet the requirements for First Aid merit badge or American Red Cross Standard First Aid. Demonstrate the Heimlich maneuver and tell when it is used.
Reference: First Aid merit badge pamphlet, No. 33301, Boy Scout Handbook, No. 33105, pages 296-297.

13.        Rules of the Road

 (14) Rules of the Road: Explain and demonstrate a working knowledge of the nautical rules of the road that govern the local waters used by your ship's principal craft. Explain and demonstrate ship's lights, rules in limited visibility, whistle signals, and right of way, including exceptions vessels. Describe special lights and day shapes deployed on the following vessels: not under command; restricted by ability to maneuver; constrained by draft; fishing (trawling); sailboat.
Reference: See "Rules of the Road" on page 174.

14.        Leadership

15.        Engines

Training Sessions are subject to Change