As a Sea Scout progresses from Ordinary to Quartermaster, they are required to complete a set of elective requirements that suit their interests and their ship’s focus. Each rank requires that the Scout accumulate a certain number of electives of varying degrees of expertise. A Scout working towards Ordinary may complete any three electives. A Scout working towards Able must have at least four electives level two or higher and seven total electives completed. A Scout working towards Quartermaster must have at least four electives level three or higher, four electives level two or higher, and a total of 11 electives complete. The electives can be earned in whichever order the Scout chooses
Leadership
1 Attend National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT)
2 Attend NYLT Leadership Academy.
2 Attend Scouting America’s Leave No Trace Trainer Course. (Add)
3 Attend National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE).
3 Attend Wood Badge (youth 18 and over).
3 Attend Leadership Challenge at Philmont or the Summit (youth 18 and over).
3 Attend Seabadge (youth 18 and over).
3 Quartermaster Cruise: Take command of one of more vessels crewed by not less than four Sea Scouts (e.g., four single occupant vessels or a single vessel with four occupants) for at least 40 consecutive hours, including two nights. You must delegate and supervise all duties. Prior to departure, create a trip plan and receive approval from your ship’s Skipper. If your boats are transported to the water, inspect all vessels with an adult leader, and evaluate whether they are adequately secured for transportation prior to departure. In addition, prior to the trip, complete the following: file a float plan, inspect the vessel(s) for required equipment; supervise all menu preparation; prepare the vessel(s) to get underway with a proper checklist approved by the adult leaders; launch, anchor, dock, and maintain course by commands to the helmsman appropriate for your vessel(s); remain underway for an extended period during darkness if your vessel has running lights; and discuss appropriate nighttime running procedures. While underway, perform safety and rescue drills appropriate to your boat(s), such as capsize, person in the water, towing vessels, damage control, abandon ship, fire, collision, and any other drills used by your ship. During this cruise no substantial errors may be committed.
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Plan and serve as coordinator on a “live-aboard” dive trip of at least three days with all dive plans, equipment, food, surface and underwater charts on dive sites, specific training including all financial, safety information and emergency protocols, plan for provisions; supervise all menu preparation; prepare the boats to get underway with a proper checklist approved by the adult leaders; and file a float plan. If on open water, prepare a navigation chart including at least three legs and/or course corrections. If on inland rivers, identify river access points and coordinate transportation at both ends of the trip. With an adult leader, inspect all vessels and evaluate whether they are adequately secured for transportation.
Duty to God
1 Participate in two appropriate interfaith religious services during ship outings.
2 Plan and conduct two appropriate interfaith religious services during ship outings.
3 Complete the requirements for the religious emblem of your faith. (Refer to the Duty to God brochure, No. 512-879.)
Sailing
1 In a cat-rigged or similar small vessel, demonstrate your ability to sail single- handedly a triangular course (leeward, windward, and reaching marks). Demonstrate beating, reaching, and running. A qualified sailing instructor should observe this requirement.
2 While leading a crew of not less than two other persons, demonstrate your ability to sail a sloop or another suitable vessel correctly and safely over a triangular course (leeward, windward, and reaching marks), demonstrating beating, reaching, running, and the proper commands.
3 Know the principles of handling a schooner, ketch, yawl, or other suitable sailing vessel. Under competent oversight, take charge of a crew and demonstrate your ability to handle a suitable sailing vessel in all points of sail.
Paddlecraft
1 Join the American Canoe Association (ACA) or an ACA Paddle America Club.
2 Complete the requirements for one of the following Scouting America Awards: Boardsailing, Kayaking, SUP, Kayaking, Whitewater, or the Canoeing merit badge. (Note: This must be a different activity from the one chosen under level 2 electives–Specialty Proficiency.)
2 Take a course from an ACA certified instructor or an equivalent, i.e.: State- certified paddling instructor.
2 Compete in a freestyle, downriver, flatwater, or slalom paddling race in a canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard (SUP) using nationally accepted rules.
2 Successfully complete an ACA level 1 or higher assessment in canoe, kayak, or SUP.
2 Complete an ACA level 3 or higher swiftwater rescue course.
2 Earn ACA instructor certification in canoe, kayak, or SUP at any level.
3 Complete the SmartStart for Paddlers course. Conduct a watercraft safety class for your ship using Paddle Smart America materials. Identify sources of safety brochures and other materials that could be used by your ship and distribute them to troops in your area or your chartered organization.
SCUBA
2 Complete an Open Water Diver course from NAUI, PADI, or any other Recreational Scuba Training Council Certification Agency.
2 Plan and coordinate a public service event such as underwater trash cleanup, coral reforestation project, or invasive species reduction project.
2 Complete an Advanced Diver course from any RSTC agency.
2 Complete a DAN® Oxygen Administration Course.
3 Maintain a dive logbook (either electronic with backup or paper) to record a minimum of 25 dives after receiving basic Open Water Diving Certification.
3 Take an additional certification course such as VIP process, tank filler/ compressor operations, night diving, underwater navigation, underwater archaeology, underwater photography. Each course may be counted as an elective.
3 Complete a Rescue Course from any RSTC agency.
3 Become a certified Dive Master, Assistant Instructor or Instructor. Each certification may be counted as an elective. (Must be over 18 and log at least 50 dives.)
Vessels
1 Teach and lead a crew under oar using a boat pulling at least four oars single- or double-banked. Perform the following maneuvers: get underway, maneuver ahead and back, turn the boat in its own length, dock, and secure.
3 Under competent oversight, assume the duties of navigator of your ship’s vessel. Plot its projected course between two ports at least two hours apart and cruise that course mooring to mooring handling all piloting duties. The cruise should be made in daylight hours with good visibility.
3 Obtain a US Coast Guard OUPV (Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels) boat operator license. (Must be over 18 to take test but can collect Sea Service time before 18.)
Racing
1 Describe the procedures used in yacht racing and the signals used by the race committee to start a race. Serve as a crew member in a race sailed under current International Sailing Federation rules.
2 Complete the following:
- Demonstrate your understanding of the shapes, flag hoists, gun, and horn signals used in yacht racing as well as a working knowledge of the racing rules of World Sailing.
- Serve as helmsman, with one or more additional crew members, of a sloop- rigged or other suitable boat with a spinnaker in a race sailed under World Sailing racing rules.
3 Take charge of a crew in a race using current World Sailing racing rules.
Engines
1 Perform routine maintenance on your ship’s propulsion system, including filter, spark plug, oil changes, proper fueling procedures, and other routine maintenance tasks. Refer to operations manuals or your ship’s adult leaders for correct procedures and guidance.
2 Complete the following:
- Understand the safe and proper procedures for the use of gasoline and diesel inboard engines, including fueling, pre-start checks, ventilation, starting, running, periodic checks while running, securing, postoperative checks, and keeping an engine log.
- Using the type of engine aboard the vessel you most frequently use, demonstrate your understanding of basic troubleshooting and the preventive maintenance schedule recommended by the manufacturer.
3 Complete the following:
- Explain the principal features of steam turbine, turboelectric, direct reversing diesel, diesel-electric, gas turbine, nuclear, gasoline, and diesel engines and the relative advantages of each type.
- Explain the operation of spark ignition and compression ignition for internal combustion engines used aboard small vessels.
- Demonstrate your familiarity with the engine aboard the vessel used by your ship, including its principles of operation, fuel, lubrication, cooling and electrical systems, and their component parts.
- Demonstrate your ability to locate and correct minor engine troubles according to the engine manufacturer’s troubleshooting guide.
Vessel Maintenance
2 Demonstrate your proficiency and knowledge of fiberglass repair and gel coating while working on your ship’s vessel or other similar vessel.
2 Demonstrate your knowledge of small paddlecraft construction by building your own or assisting in building a canoe or kayak from wood, fiberglass, or other suitable materials. Kits may be used.
3 Take charge of reconditioning or overhauling at least one of your ship’s vessels or take charge of hauling out the principal vessel used by your ship. In either case, lay out a plan of the work to be done in advance, including an estimate of the materials, tools, cost, and time involved.
3 Take charge of building a paddlecraft. Lay out the plan of work to be done; identify suitable building plans; and estimate materials, tools, cost, and time involved. Launch the craft.
Electricity
3 Complete the following:
- Know and demonstrate the correct method of rescuing a person in contact with a live wire.
- Understand the construction of simple battery cells. Demonstrate the proper care of storage batteries.
- Explain the difference between direct current and alternating current and the best uses for each.
- Demonstrate that you know how to replace fuses, reset circuit breakers, and properly splice shipboard electric cable.
- Submit a diagram of the electrical system aboard the vessel used by your ship.
- Explain wire tables, the current-carrying capacity of circuits, and the hazards and prevention of electrical overloading.
- Explain electrolysis as applied to the deterioration of a boat’s underwater fittings by galvanic action and its prevention.
Rigging
3 Demonstrate your ability to splice and handle wire rope, attach wire rope fittings, and complete a safety and tuning inspection of a vessel.
Speciality Proficiency
2 Complete the requirements for one of the following Scouting America Awards: Boardsailing, Kayaking, SUP, Mile Swim, Whitewater Rafting, SCUBA, Snorkeling, or the Kayaking, Whitewater, or Canoeing merit badge. (Note: This must be a different activity from the one chosen under level 2 electives–Paddlecraft.)
2 Complete the National Safe Boating Council course Boat Control On-Water Training.
3 Become proficient in boardsailing, surfing, kayaking, or whitewater rafting/canoeing.
3 Teach another Sea Scout the information needed to complete the Kayaking, Canoeing, or Whitewater merit badge, or the Kayaking, SUP, or Boardsailing Award.
Ornamental Ropework
1 Make a three-strand Turk’s head and a three-strand monkey’s fist. Using an ornamental knot, make up a heaving line.
2 Demonstrate your ability to fashion the following items of ornamental ropework: four-strand Turk’s head, coach whipping, cockscombing, round braid, flat sennit braid, wall knot, and crown knot. Make a useful item such as a boatswain’s lanyard, rigging knife lanyard, bell rope, etc., or decorate a portion of your ship’s equipment such as a stanchion, rail, lifeline, tiller, etc.
Maritime Tradition
1 Boatswain Call: Demonstrate your ability to use a boatswain’s pipe by making the following calls—word to be passed, boat call, veer, all hands, pipe down, and piping the side.
1 Maritime History: Describe the highlights of maritime history from the earliest times to the present. Include the evolution of vessel construction and propulsion, important voyages of exploration and development, the origin of maritime traditions, and the achievements of notable maritime leaders in U.S. Sea history.
2 Celestial Navigation:
- Explain how the sextant works. Show how to use it and demonstrate measuring horizontal angles and altitudes.
- Find latitude by the altitude of Polaris or by the sun’s altitude at local apparent noon. Demonstrate how longitude is determined.
- Demonstrate finding error in the boat’s compass by the sun’s azimuth.
3 Communication: Draw the International Code flags and pennants from memory and give the single-letter meanings of the flags (for example, Alfa = Have diver down, keep clear). Show how to use the book International Code of Signals.
United State Coast Guard Auxiliary
1 Be inducted as a Basic Qualified member of a United States Coast Guard Auxiliary flotilla.
2 Successfully complete the Coast Guard Auxiliary Boating Skills and Seamanship course. All core sessions, as well as at least three electives.
3 Successfully complete the Coast Guard Auxiliary Weekend Navigator course.
3 Join a local Coast Guard Auxiliary flotilla as a Basic Qualified member and qualify for any Operational Auxiliary Program (AUXOP) or any Trident Marine Safety specialty rating.
America’s Boating Club (formerly United States Power Squadrons)
1 Be inducted as a member of your local America’s Boating Club (USPS squadron).
2 As a member of America’s Boating Club, complete the Boat Handling and Marine Navigation courses.
3 As a member of America’s Boating Club, complete the Advanced Marine Navigation course.
Awards
2 Complete the Outdoor Ethics Awareness Award.
3 Complete the Outdoor Ethics Action Award
Effective August 2024 [Page Last Updated 5 October 2024]