Nautical Training Scheme
The Nautical Training Scheme can be undertaken as an addition to the programme in each Section. It allows for the maritime ethos essential to a progressive nautical symbolic framework to be successfully implemented. This training scheme is open to all members of Scouting Ireland wishing to further their maritime knowledge. The badges are progressive and lay out the steps that the young person will take on their journey through the nautical symbolic framework.
The Nautical journeys are named the Boat Badge in the Beaver Scout Section, the Boatman Badge in the Cub Scout Section, the Helmsman Badge in the Scout Section, the Navigator Badge in the Venture Scout Section and the Mariner Pins in the Rover Scout Section. The full requirements for these badges are contained here.
The design of the badges are: a fouled anchor, symbolising a light introduction, progressing to a fouled anchor with the two crossed oars symbolising “finding their sea legs”, the ship’s wheel reflecting being part of a crew, and the compass being in control of the journey.
The Nautical Training Scheme provides insight and achievement in the following areas of nautical development;
Universal skills for water activities
Water safety
Water activities
Navigation
Communications
Nautical history, traditions, community
Boat maintenance, repairs, etc.
Weather and Tides
The Nautical Training Scheme in each Section has a number of achievement badges, three each in the Beaver Scout, Cub Scout and Scout Sections, four in the Venture Scout Section and two in the Rover Scout Section, each building on the previous badge in the scheme without excluding the possibility of a youth member joining the badge scheme in a later Section.
The progress badges in the Venture Scout and Rover Scout Sections will incorporate a project based methodology that will introduce Scouts to the essential life skill of committing to and following through on projects, with a wide scope to include areas such as expedition planning and obtaining recognised qualifications.
Each badge progressively draws the youth member further into the symbolic framework, (see scouts.ie) with the aim of supporting the Scout Method so that the youth member’s mind is stimulated, and a purpose can be provided for activities. While each Section has a particular set of badges assigned to it, Scouters should support the Scouts as they employ flexibility within their progress through badges.
Scouters’ responsibility
Water Activities are an integral part of the Nautical Training Scheme and youth members should be encouraged to pursue one or more of the aquatic adventure skills. In pursuing these, Scouters should be aware of the safety guidelines, in particular as they refer to the wearing of PFDs (personal floatation devices), swimming abilities of the participants and qualifications of the persons in charge. In-depth and up to date information can be found on scouts.ie.
Charge Certificates – Scouters undertaking responsibility for water activities should be aware of the rules of Scouting Ireland relating to these activities – the safety rules themselves and the requirements for appropriate qualifications for those supervising or in charge of the activities (swimming, sub aqua, surfing, canoeing, rowing, sailing, power boating).
Sea Scout Information and Resource documents are available below:
The more important documents are
001 – Water Activities
003 – Personal Floatation Devices
005 – Boating Limits (Classification of Waters)
006 – Boating Charge Certificates
007 – Passage/Voyage Planning
010 – Canoeing Grades and Training