Apprentice Sea Scout

New requirements took effect immediately upon their release on October 19, 2015. Current Sea Scouts had until May 2017 to complete a rank under the old requirements, shown below. The old advancement requirements were retired in May of 2017.

1. Ideals
   1. Qualify as an official member of your Sea Scout ship by taking part in the ship's admission ceremony.
   2. Repeat from memory and discuss with an adult leader the Sea Promise. Discuss the BSA Mission Statement, the BSA Vision Statement, the Scout Oath and Law and agree to carry out the provisions of your ship's code and bylaws.
   3. Demonstrate acceptable courtesies used aboard a Sea Scout vessel.
   4. Demonstrate the proper procedure for boarding a Sea Scout vessel and landship.
2. Active Membership
   1. Provide evidence that you are fulfilling your financial obligations to your ship, including helping with fund-raisers.
   2. Obtain the Sea Scout uniform. Describe the Sea Scout work and dress uniforms. Tell how and when the uniforms are worn and explain care of uniforms.
3. Leadership
   1. Describe your ship's organization, including the youth and adult leadership positions.
   2. Demonstrate your ability to identify officer and adult leader insignia. Explain the chain of command in your ship.
4. Swimming
1. Jump feetfirst into water over your head, swim 75 yards/meters in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes: sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or crawl; then swim 25 yards/meters using the elementary backstroke. The 100 yards/meters must be swum continuously and include at least one sharp turn. After completing the swim, rest by floating on your back, remaining as motionless as possible. (Refer to the BSAs Swimming merit badge instruction if you need to improve your swimming strokes.)
2. Discuss the BSA Safe Swim Defense plan and explain how it is used to protect Sea Scouts and other groups during swimming activities.
5. Safety
1. Explain the uses, advantages, and disadvantages of the five types of Coast Guard—approved life jackets. Demonstrate the proper use and care of life jackets used by your ship.
2. Identify visual day and night marine distress signals, and know their location and the proper use for your ship's vessel(s).
3. Use the Distress Communications Form to demonstrate the procedure to send the following VHF emergency messages: Mayday, Pan Pan, and Security.
4. Know the safety rules that apply to vessels and equipment used by your ship, and safety standards in the use of power tools, machinery, lifting heavy objects, and other safety devices used by your ship.
6. Marlinspike Seamanship
   • Using both large and small lines, tie and explain the use of the following knots: overhand, square, figure eight, bowline, two half hitches, clove hitch, sheet bend, and cleat hitch.
7. Boat Handling
   • Demonstrate the ability to use a heaving line.
8. Service
   • Log at least 16 hours of work on ship equipment, projects, or activities other than regular ship meetings, parties, dances, or fun events. Note: Arrange for this work through the ship's officers.

For more details on Sea Scouting,
including References, and Web References for the requirements shown above,
see the official Sea Scouting Web Site, at http://www.seascout.org