Makai Honored - 2013 National Sea Scout Flagship 

IRVING, TX - Sea Scout Ship 700, SSS Makai of San Leandro, California, San Francisco Bay Area Council has been selected as the 2013 National Flagship by the National Seas Scout Support Committee (“NSSSC”) of the Boy Scouts of America. 2013 is the beginning of the second century of the Sea Scout program, which provides nautical programs to more than 6,500 Sea Scouts throughout the U.S.
BoatUS and Sea Scouts, BSA recognizes the Makai is chartered by Bigham-Taylor Roofing Company. The award was created by BoatUS in 2002 to mark the 90th anniversary of Sea Scouts. It is presented in recognition of excellence in program quality, youth achievement, and adult commitment; attributes reflected by the Makai in its exemplary programs of seamanship and youth development. The Makai was part of the 2012 National Flagship Fleet.

The Ship’s quarterdeck and Skipper completed a full application and provided support through written summary of their accomplishments and activities they participated in during this past year. The Ship’s Boatswain Nick Rojos comments, “Makai is much more than a Sea Scout Ship, we’re a group of determined young men who want to work hard for regattas and enjoy our cruises to the fullest … I am proud to lead these young men and I’m even more proud of the Makai that I call my second family.” The crew works hard and plays hard learning to maintain their boat, learning new skills, and competing in a wide array of events. A few highlights of their activities include:

• • Achieved the Gold level 2012 Journey to Excellence national award with a perfect score
  • 82.6 % of youth members advanced in rank, or advanced during the year
  • 38% of youth members achieved Ordinary Sea Scout rank or higher
  • The crew participated in 42 days of on-the-water activities during the year (Total engine run time 110 hours 13 minutes, including a 17 day Long Cruise)
  • 15 community unit service projects including such as landscaping at a community church, Scouting for Food, and maintenance at various marinas
  • Sent a youth member to Sea Scout Advanced Leadership training (“SEAL”) in Miami, FL
  • Competed in 4 Regional Regattas (taking a top class rating at 3 of them); attended 5 fleet training and social activities; conducted 5 leadership training courses; participated in many more active meetings and months of events too numerous to mention for a total of 188 days of Sea Scout activities during the year
  • Had a youth member appointed as the Western Region Area 3 Boatswain
  • Acquired and rigged a new primary vessel in less than 2 months
  • Recruited 9 new youth members during the year bringing their total to 23 and recruited 5 new adult members during the year bringing their total to 13
  • 14 of their Crew and 13 of their adults earned the Sea Scout Centennial Gold Award pin

A heartfelt congratulation goes to Ship Boatswain Nick Rojos, Skipper Robert Karn, Executive Officer Mr. Kevin Trujillo, and the dedicated S.S.S. Makai crew and adult volunteers. The Makai’s name will be inscribed on a perpetual trophy now on display at the National Scouting Museum in Irving, Texas. An identical trophy will be presented to the ship’s leadership.

Join us in saluting Ship 700, SSS Makai for their outstanding efforts. We wish them well in continuing to promote water safety and provide a quality Sea Scout program to the youth in their area.

For more information about the S.S.S. Makai, visit their website: www.seascoutshipmakai.homestead.com

[Download the 2013 National Flagship Makai Announcement here.]

Sea Scouts Aboard Tall Ship Coast Guard Barque Eagle -
Applications Accepted Now

Do you want the adventure of a lifetime?  Apply now to sail aboard the tall ship Coast Guard Barque Eagle!  The Eagle is a three-masted barque-rigged ship used to train cadets and officer candidates in the U.S. Coast Guard.  The Eagle was  built in Germany in 1936 and was taken as a war reparation by the U.S. after World War II. Since then the Eagle has been homeported in New London, Connecticut, the location of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

The National Sea Scout Support Committee has again made special arrangements with the US Coast Guard Academy for select Sea Scouts to join as crew aboard the Eagle during its 2013 summer cadet cruise.  This opportunity is available to all Sea Scouts who desire fun, adventure, and a summer cruise to remember - you don't want to miss this chance.  This year's Sunday-to-Saturday cruises are off the New England Coast and will embark on July 28 (at Boston, MA), and August 4 (at a port-of-cal to be determined).

The ideal candidate is an active Sea Scout who is at least Able rank, a leader in his/her Ship, a SEAL graduate, 16 or 17 years old, in the 10th or 11th grade at the time of application, with an interest in the Coast Guard or other military or maritime career.  Remember though, many prior successful applicants have not had all of these attributes. So who should apply?  Any Sea Scout who is interested!

Get your USCG Barque Eagle Cruise App in by the deadline – March 31, 2013

The National Sea Scout Support Committee is please to introduce the New Century Universal Sea Scout Uniform ("NCUSSU").  The NCUSSU is an alternate uniform to the current adult and youth dress and work uniforms. It is intended to make it easy for members of newly formed Sea Scout Ships to outfit themselves in a Sea Scout uniform and may be chosen by any unit new or existing. When chosen by the unit, this universal uniform is worn by all youth and adult Ship members and may serve as both a dress uniform and a work uniform. The New Century Universal Sea Scout Uniform will be included in the next edition of the Sea Scout Manual, No. 33239.

Visit here to learn more about this exciting new option!