Ceremonies - Landship

Ceremonies

Ceremonies are a natural part of the Sea Scouting program. Carried out at ship meetings and as a part of some social activities, they satisfy the desire of young adults for ritual. They also help develop habits of conduct essential to the salty atmosphere and discipline of a program based on nautical traditions and activities.

The Ceremonies of Sea Scouting are colorful and should be carried out with promptness, smartness, and dash. This gives your crew the utmost pride and satisfaction that can come from membership in a first-rate Ship. By far the most essential elements in successful ceremonies are the dignified atmosphere and enthusiastic leadership provided by the Skipper and Petty Officers.

Landships

The overall deck plan for a langship is based on the customs and traditions of our Navy. All members should learn the proper terminology as well as the basic layout.

A layout involving minimum equipment can be easily set up by any ship. It is recommended only for use until a more serviceable landship is available.

Simple landship

Formal landship

Landship Ceremony

The following script is for a routine Ship meeting landship. Other scripts may also be used (such as Appendix K of the 1997 printing of the Sea Scout Manual.) Whenever "dignitaries" are present such as for Bridges of Honor, the script for boarding should be modified accordingly. Specifics are provided at end of this appendix.

Deck plan of a landship

PRELIMINARY
(5 Minutes before start of ceremony the ship's bell is rung 5 times; 3 minutes before start of ceremony the ship's bell is rung three times; 2 minutes ... two times; 1 minute ... one time.)

(OFFICER OF THE DECK boards ship from starboard gangway, BOATSWAIN boards ship from Port gangway. At the rail they render the double salute, then exchange salutes before laying aboard. upon boarding, the OOD enters the quarterdeck from the port side and takes his station on the port side of the bridge, just off the keel-line, facing the bow; the BOS'N faces the OOD one step forward of the bridge.)

OOD: "BOS'N, proceed with the opening ceremony."

BOS'N: (Salutes) "Aye aye, sir." (OOD returns salute.)

BOS'N: "CREW LEADERS, muster your Crews." (As the crews are forming, the BOATSWAIN'S MATE marches to the port gangway.)

BOS'N'S MATE: (Salutes) "Boatswain's Mate [last name], requests permission to lay aboard, sir."

BOS'N: "Permission granted." (Bos'n returns salute. BOS'N'S MATE drops his salute, executes the double salute, then marches to a station just forward of the port gangway and comes to the position of At Ease.)
(The first CREW LEADER marches to the port gangway.)

CREW LEADER: (Salutes) "Starboard Alpha, request permission to lay aboard, sir."

BOS'N: "Permission granted." (BOS'N returns salute.)

CREW LEADER: (Drops his salute, executes the double salute, then to his crew)

"Starboard Alpha, lay aboard." (Crews lay aboard in order. Each individual as he or she boards renders the double salute. When the entire crew is on deck and at quarters, the CREW LEADER commands:)

"Inboard face. At close interval, dress right, dress." (The CREW LEADER verifies the alignment and then commands:)

"Ready, front."

BOS'N: (Salutes) "Sir, the ship is at quarters."

OOD: (OOD returns salute.) "Very well, receive the report."

BOS'N: (Salutes) "Aye aye, sir."

BOS'N: (Turns and faces crews) "Crew Leaders, reports."

CREW LEADERS: (One at a time each takes one step forward, salutes)

"Starboard Alpha (Port Bravo, ...), all present or accounted for, sir."

BOS'N: (Salutes OOD) "Sir, all crews present or accounted for."

OOD*: "Very well. Assign COLOR GUARD and (number) SIDE BOYS."

BOS'N: "Aye aye, sir." (Faces crews)

"Color guard, Alpha 7 and 8; Sideboys, Bravo 7 and 8."

BOS'N: (Bos'n turns to face OOD, salutes) "Sir, COLOR GUARD and SIDE BOYS have been assigned."

OOD*: "Very well, stand by for Colors." (Passes the Ensign to the BOS'N and salutes the Colors.)

BOS'N: "Aye aye, sir." (Receives the Ensign with both hands, does not return the salute. Faces about to the Ship.)

"Color Guard, post." (The COLOR GUARD lays aft and obtains the Ensign from the BOS'N, who passes it to the bearer and salutes. The COLOR GUARD does not return the salute. When the BOS'N drops his salute, the COLOR GUARD quickly proceeds to their posts, and makes ready the Ensign on the halyard. When all is ready, the BOS'N commands:)

"Hand salute." (The Ensign is run smartly aloft, and the BOS'N pipes "Colors" on the boatswain's pipe. As the Ensign leaves the bearer's hands he takes one step backward and salutes. Upon securing the halyard, the guard takes one step backward and salutes. At the last note of the pipe, the BOS'N commands:)

"Ready, two. Color Guard, return to your crew." (The COLOR GUARD returns to their crews. When they have returned to their stations, the BOS'N turns and faces the OOD.)

OOD: "Standby to receive the SKIPPER."

BOS'N: (Salutes) "Aye aye, sir."

BOS'N: (About face) "Standby to receive the SKIPPER. COLOR GUARD, SIDE BOYS, post." (COLOR GUARD and SIDE BOYS take one step back and, walking behind their respective crews, report to their assigned duty stations. The BOS'N, BOS'N'S MATE, or a CREW LEADER will take up station one step forward of the forward line of sideboys and one step inboard to pipe the side.)

OOD: "[Ship's name] arriving." (Two bells, with piping.)

BOS'N: "COLOR GUARD, SIDEBOYS, return to your crews."

OOD: (Welcomes the SKIPPER aboard, and then facing the SKIPPER) "Sir, do you wish to inspect the Ship?"

SKIPPER: "Not at this time. Carry on."

OOD: "BOS'N proceed with the scheduled ceremony."

BOS'N: (Salutes) "Aye aye, sir." (Turns and faces bow of landship)