Leadership Afloat

This page is under development.
Please refer to Charge Certificates for current measures for managing activity afloat.

Leadership Afloat Awards (launching 2023)

The former Charge Certificate scheme has served the Programme for decades as the qualification system within Scouting Ireland to ‘take charge’ of a boat and its crew on the water [sailing, boating, powerboat, paddling, rowing].
The Leadership Afloat update (2023), utilises the Adventure Skills as a measure of a Scouts technical activity skill and allows an improved and accessible pathway to facilitate a greater focus on leadership, decision-making and risk assessment required to create a structured and safe environment on the water.

The purpose of the update is to ensure our programmes are meeting current best practice and our activities are conducted safely to offer the best opportunity of development and enjoyment for our young people.
Anyone leading Scouting activity on the water must have the skill and relevant experience to do so.
This pathway is focused on safe supervision of boating activity afloat.

Technical activity skill alone is not enough to provide a well-planned, well supervised, safe activity afloat.
Leadership is supported by your personal Leadership Logbook matched with the Plan-Do-Review Method based on experience afloat. The Leadership Logbook will allow you to reflect on your activities and develop your skills as a leader afloat while receiving guidance from your peers throughout your journey.

The Safety Afloat Plan will provide the necessary tools to ensure your scouting activities on the water are safe and supported.

Levels of Leadership Afloat Award are directly linked Scouting Irelands Classification of Activity Waters.
As you develop your own personal technical activity skill and fill your Leadership Logbook with activity experience you can enhance your opportunities and scope for leading activity and adventure on the water.

Each level awarded is based on the below criteria via a logbook appraisal and practical assessment.
1) Technical activity skill (Adventure Skills)
2) Leadership experience afloat (Leadership Logbook)
3) Safety Afloat knowledge
4) Competency assessment afloat 

Recognition of;

Existing Charge Certificates

In order to maintain the required standards of safety and best practices afloat, current Charge Certificate holders will need to acknowledge their technical activity ability within the Adventure Skills framework.

Intermediate Charge Certificate
Sailing – Sailing Stage 5
Power – National Powerboat Certificate
Oars – Rowing Stage 6

Advanced Charge Certificate
Sailing – Sailing Stage 7
Power – Intermediate Powerboat Certificate
Oars – Rowing Stage 8

There will be a 2-year grandfathering period (2023-2025) to transfer these skills to the Adventure Skills pathway before the existing Charge Certificates become invalid.
Once Adventure Skills are recognised your existing Charge Certificate will be reissued as a Leadership Afloat Award.
Contact team@seascouts.ie to get your certificate reissued.
No further Charge Certificates will be issued.

The relevant Adventure Skills Teams are ready to support you in this process.
Sailing skills – sailing@scouts.ie
Powerboat skills – sailing@scouts.ie
Rowing skills – rowing@scouts.ie
Paddling skills – paddling@scouts.ie
Team Lead – adventureskills@scouts.ie

Existing Experience afloat

Scouts & Scouters entering the scheme with existing activity and leadership experience may be issued with a Leadership Afloat Award upon recognition of criteria met.
1) Technical activity skill (Adventure Skills)
2) Leadership experience afloat (Leadership Logbook)
3) Safety Afloat knowledge
4) Competency assessment afloat 

Leadership Afloat Awards can only be issued with recognition of relevant certificates as this is a measure of a standard achieved.

Oars Leadership Afloat Awards may be issued with evidence of Rowing Adventure Skills.
Stage 5 = Basic (May-Sept) 15+
Stage 6 = Intermediate (Enclosed Safe Waters) 16+
Stage 7 = Intermediate (Restricted Waters) 17+
Stage 8 = Advanced (Day Cruising Waters) 17+
Stage 9 = Night Activity 17+
Direct assessment for technical activity skill may be organised via rowing@scouts.ie or by contacting on of the assessors HERE.
Leadership Logbooks may be submitted below.

Sail Leadership Afloat Awards may be issued with evidence of Sailing Adventure Skills
Stage 5 or IS Basic Skills = Basic (May-Sept) 15+
Stage 5 or IS Basic Skills = Intermediate (Enclosed Safe Waters) 16+
Stage 6 or IS Improving Skills = Intermediate (Restricted Waters) 17+
Stage 7 or IS Advanced Boat Handling = Advanced (Day Cruising Waters) 17+
Stage 8 or IS Adventure + Logbook = Night Activity 17+
Stage 9 or Day Skipper + Logbook = Coastal (Coastal Waters) 17+
IS Sailing Instructor = Intermediate (Restricted Waters) 17+
Direct assessment for technical activity skill may be organised via sailing@scouts.ie or by contacting on of the assessors HERE.
Leadership Logbooks may be submitted below.

Power Leadership Afloat Awards may be issued with evidence of Irish Sailing/ RYA powerboat certificates.
National Powerboat Certificate = Basic (May-Sept) 15+
National Powerboat Certificate = Intermediate (Enclosed Safe Waters) 16+
Safety Boat Certificate = Intermediate (Restricted Waters) 17+
Intermediate Powerboat Certificate = Advanced (Day Cruising Waters) 17+
Advanced Powerboat Certificate = Night Activity 17+
IS Powerboat Instructor = Intermediate (Restricted Waters) 17+
Direct assessment for technical activity skill may be organised via sailing@scouts.ie or by contacting on of the assessors HERE.
Leadership Logbooks may be submitted below.

Leadership Afloat Pathway

Foundation Leadership Afloat
14+ years
Supervised Sessions
For those new to boating and new to leading activity.

Basic Leadership Afloat
15+ years
Safe Enclosed Waters (1st May – 31st September)
With limited experiences afloat but competent, responsible and safety conscious.

Intermediate Leadership Afloat
16+ years
Safe Enclosed Waters
Well practiced with leading activities afloat.

Intermediate Extended Endorsement
17+ years
Restricted Waters
Capable and experienced boaters with a proven ability to lead and coordinate activity afloat.

Advanced Leadership Afloat
17+ years
Day Cruising Waters
Seasoned boaters with a high level of competence, seamanship and leadership.

Advanced Extended Endorsement
17+ years
Night Activity
Significant experience and technical ability leading activities afloat.

Coastal Leadership Afloat
17+ years
Coastal Waters (30nm)
May only be issued with recognition of external certification.
Intended for sailing or motor cruiser only.

Coastal Extended Endorsement
17+ years
Coastal Waters (60nm)
May only be issued with recognition of external certification.
Intended for sailing or motor cruiser only.

Boating Waters & Leadership Afloat Awards

Enclosed Safe Waters – sheltered inland waters with minimal tide and currents, such as protected harbours, estuaries, canals and small lakes.
Basic Leadership Afloat Award required.

Restricted Waters – exposed or open waters with tide and current impact, up to 3nm offshore.
Intermediate Leadership Afloat Award required.

Day Cruising Waters – the sea, up to 5nm offshore.
Advanced Leadership Afloat Award required.

Coastal Waters – the sea, up to 10nm offshore
Coastal Leadership Afloat Award required.

Offshore Waters

FAQs
  1. Am I certified?
  2. How do I organise an assessment.
  3. Who can issue the Leadership Afloat Award.
  4. Where can I do some training.

The Foundation award is a supervised-session certificate to allow new leaders afloat gain valuable leadership experience while maintaining a safety net and learning how to make the most informed decisions possible with support of their peers.
You will develop an introduction to seamanship skills alongside gaining knowledge in identification of hazards, establishing safety procedures and responding to emergencies.

Intended for Scouts 14+ and Scouters new to boating.
This award is optional for those meeting the skills requirements for the Basic Leadership Afloat Award. Candidates will complete a shorebased paper to impress their knowledge of the Safety Afloat document alongside a practical exercise to experience putting these tools into practice before taking youth members afloat.
This is a competency award to ensure those leading Scouting activity on the water have the correct skill and character to maintain safe activities afloat. Candidates will hone the Plan-Do-Review method by hosting an activity session and completing a self-assessment debrief afterwards with their Mentor.
Candidates should log FOUR sessions afloat with their Mentor while developing their technical skills before seeking an assessment to be awarded the Basic Leadership Afloat award.

This Award is good for: those who are new to supervising activity on the water. It supports a pathway to develop leadership skills without compromising the safety of those on the water.

Awarded by Assessor or Mentor.

Basic Awards are issued for the Summer Boating Season (1th May – 30th Sept) enabling those with limited experience to get afloat safely.

Adult Scouters and Ventures 15+ competent to plan, coordinate and supervise a group in sheltered waters while you develop your skills in preparation for more leadership opportunities in the future.
Confined to your own Enclosed Safe Waters, wind force 3 max. 

This Award is good for: Ventures & Scouters with limited experience leading activity afloat but have been assessed for competence in the Safety Afloat document, ability to make informed decisions and meeting the technical requirements of their activity.

Awarded by Assessor.

Sail

Safe Enclosed Waters
(1st May – 31st September)

  • Sailing Stage 5
  • Leadership Logbook; 4 Sessions
  • Valid first-aid certificate
  • 15 years+

This certificate is awarded via a Leadership Logbook appraisal and practical assessment afloat.

Oars

Safe Enclosed Waters
(1st May – 31st September)

  • Rowing Stage 5
  • Leadership Logbook; 4 Sessions
  • Valid first-aid certificate
  • 15 years+

This certificate is awarded via a Leadership Logbook appraisal and practical assessment afloat.

Power

Safe Enclosed Waters
(1st May – 31st September)

  • National Powerboat Certificate
  • Leadership Logbook; 4 Sessions
  • Valid first-aid certificate
  • 15 years+

This certificate is awarded via a Leadership Logbook appraisal and practical assessment afloat.

Intermediate Awards are intended for capable, experienced and responsible Adult Scouters and Ventures 16+ with effective communication skills and the ability to guide & direct others while taking leadership of an activity in Enclosed Safe Waters all-year.

With higher level of Adventure Skill attained, Intermediate Awards receive an Extended Endorsement to facilitate activity in Restricted Waters which opens the opportunity to explore new areas for adventure and activity.

This Award is good for: organised Scout Groups committing to a boating programme throughout the calendar year and starting to explore new waters.

Awarded by Assessor.

Scouters & Ventures should next consider the Leadership Afloat Mentor Award.
This allows candidates to support their boating programme and develop their leadership experience while upskilling their activity technical skills in preparation for the Advanced Leadership Afloat Award.

Sail

Safe Enclosed Waters
(1st January – 31st December)

  • Sailing Stage 5
  • Leadership Logbook; 8 Sessions
  • Valid first-aid certificate
  • 16 years+

This certificate is awarded via a Leadership Logbook appraisal and practical assessment afloat.

EXTENDED ENDORESEMENT
Restricted Waters

  • Sailing Stage 6
  • 17 years +
Oars

Safe Enclosed Waters
(1st January – 31st December)

  • Rowing Stage 6
  • Leadership Logbook; 8 Sessions
  • Valid first-aid certificate
  • 16 years+

This certificate is awarded via a Leadership Logbook appraisal and practical assessment afloat.

EXTENDED ENDORESMENT
Restricted Waters

  • Rowing Stage 7
  • 17 years+
Power

Safe Enclosed Waters
(1st January – 31st December)

  • National Powerboat Certificate
  • Leadership Logbook; 8 Sessions
  • Valid first-aid certificate
  • 16 years+

This certificate is awarded via a Leadership Logbook appraisal and practical assessment afloat.

EXTENDED ENDORESMENT
Restricted Waters

  • Safety Boat Certificate
  • 17 years+

Advanced Leadership Afloat Awards are available to experienced Adult Scouters and Ventures 17+ able to develop comprehensive session plans and identification of risks collaboratively with their teams to supervise adventure afloat in Day Cruising Waters.

The Advanced Award also facilitates an Extended Endorsement for those holding a higher level of Adventure Skills to support After-Dark Scouting activity on the water.

This Award is good for: adventures and expedition at sea and in more challenging environments.

Awarded by Peer Panel Assessment.

Sail

Day Cruising Waters

  • Sailing Stage 7
  • Leadership Logbook; 12 Sessions
  • Valid first-aid certificate
  • VHF Radio license
  • 17 years+

This certificate is awarded via a Leadership Logbook appraisal and practical assessment afloat upon application to the Leadership Afloat Peer Panel.

EXTENDED ENDORESEMENT
Night Activity

  • Sailing Stage 8
  • 17 years +
Oars

Day Cruising Waters

  • Rowing Stage 8
  • Leadership Logbook; 12 Sessions
  • Valid first-aid certificate
  • VHF Radio license
  • 17 years+

This certificate is awarded via a Leadership Logbook appraisal and practical assessment afloat upon application to the Leadership Afloat Peer Panel.

EXTENDED ENDORESEMENT
Night Activity

  • Rowing Stage 9
  • 17 years +
Power

Day Cruising Waters

  • Intermediate Powerboat Certificate
  • Leadership Logbook; 12 Sessions
  • Valid first-aid certificate
  • VHF Radio license
  • 17 years+

This certificate is awarded via a Leadership Logbook appraisal and practical assessment afloat upon application to the Leadership Afloat Peer Panel.

EXTENDED ENDORESEMENT
Night Activity

  • Advanced Powerboat Certificate
  • 17 years +

A competent and seasoned boater leading expeditions in Coastal Waters up to 30nm from Home Port.
With recognised external certificates Scouters may facilitate activity in Coastal Waters 60nm from Home Port.
This award is confined to 10nm offshore. Activity beyond this boundary must seek application from the Sea Scouting Team.

Coastal Leadership Afloat awards are designed for keelboating and motor cruising activity and require external National Governing Body certificates to be valid. [Irish Sailing / Royal Yachting Association]
These certificates are designed for the holder to take charge of a boat and its crew.
Coastal Awards are not intended for dinghies or managing a fleet of boats.

This Award is good for: overnight or longer Scouting expedition out of the Scout Groups normal waters.

Awarded by Peer Panel Assessment.

Sail

Coastal Waters
(30 nautical miles from Home Port)
Keelboat Only

  • Day Skipper (Sailing)
  • Valid first-aid certificate
  • VHF Radio license
  • 17 years+

This certificate is awarded via a competence assessment based on the Safety Afloat document alongside submitting your external certificate.

Coastal Waters
(60 nautical miles from Home Port)
Keelboat Only

  • Coastal Skipper (Sailing)
  • Valid first-aid certificate
  • VHF Radio license
  • 17 years +
Power

Coastal Waters
(30 nautical miles from Home Port)
Cruisers Only

  • Day Skipper (Motor)
  • Valid first-aid certificate
  • VHF Radio license
  • 17 years+

This certificate is awarded via a competence assessment based on the Safety Afloat document alongside submitting your external certificate.

Coastal Waters
(60 nautical miles from Home Port)
Cruisers Only

  • Coastal Skipper (Motor)
  • Valid first-aid certificate
  • VHF Radio license
  • 17 years +
The Leadership Afloat Mentor is a boating role-model within the Scout Group who may coordinate the Foundation Award training and assessment alongside supporting and encouraging others working on their Leadership Logbooks.
This award is a great opportunity to develop personal leadership and coaching skills while acting as an advisor to peers and managing the Scout Group safety afloat plan.
This Award is good for: competent Scouters; Ventures afloat who have completed their Intermediate Leadership Afloat award and do not intend to or are awaiting to advance their technical activity skill while setting out a pathway to become a Leadership Afloat Assessor.
Awarded by Assessor.
Mentor Requirements
  • Intermediate Leadership Afloat Award
  • Leadership Logbook; 10 Sessions
  • Valid first-aid certificate
  • VHF Radio license
  • 16 years+

This certificate is awarded via application and completion of the online Leadership Afloat Mentor Module.

Conduct Leadership Logbook Appraisals and assess practical skills afloat for Basic and Intermediate Leadership Awards.
Develop a team of local Mentors and ensure the safety afloat plans are active and fit for purpose.

This Award is good for: experienced leaders afloat who can support, mentor and develop others to promote a safe, structured culture to boating activities.

Assessor Requirements
  • Leadership Logbook; 12 Sessions in Safe Enclosed Waters
  • Leadership Logbook; 12 Sessions in Restricted Waters
  • Valid first-aid certificate
  • Recommendation from Scout Group Council
  • Completed Online Mentor Module
  • Technical activity skill (Sailing Stage 7/ Rowing Stage 8/ National Powerboat Instructor)

This certificate is awarded via application and completion of Assessors course.

Experienced Scouters & Rovers acting as Assessor Peer Mentors and technical activity and safety experts.
Support and coordinate training and assessment throughout the membership. Develop and promote teams of Assessors and conduct Advanced Leadership Afloat Assessments.

This Award is good for: