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;

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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: