Note: as of 11 November 2011 these badge requirements have been updated significantly. This includes the removal of training options. The old set of requirements can still be used until November 2012, and can be found at the bottom of the page.
  1. Develop your skills in one water-based activity to a level where you can operate safely. This could be shown through gaining a personal permit or the appropriate National Governing Body personal competency award.
  2. Demonstrate how to use your craft to recover others from the water by taking part in a simple rescue exercise.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of pilotage, navigation lights, sound signals, tides, currents and eddies, as relevant to your local waters.
  4. Demonstrate that you can still tie a figure-of-eight knot, clove hitch, and a round turn and two half-hitches, and in addition tie these three knots: sheet bend, rolling hitch and bowline, and describe their uses.
  5. Explain the different types of ropes used in water activities, their advantages and disadvantages, and how to care for them.
  6. Complete one of the following:
    • Make a rope fender or other piece of decorative rope work, for example a lanyard or decorative knot.
    • Demonstrate three calls made on a bosun’s pipe, other than the ‘still’ and ‘carry on’.
    • Hoist the colours for a Sea Scout Group as part of Sea Scout ceremonial.
  7. With others, plan and take part in a one day expedition or exercise afloat.
  8. Know how different boats communicate with each other, relevant to your location.
  9. Take on the helm or cox role in a craft or help prepare a team for a competition.
  10. Know how to get local weather forecasts, understand their importance, and be able to recognise signs of changing weather.
  11. Know how to safeguard against the effects of cold. Know how to recognise and treat hypothermia.

Notes 

Reference should be made to the Activity rules in chapter nine of Policy, Organisation and Rules and the Adventurous Activity Permit Scheme.
Every individual who undertakes an Activity Badge should face a similar degree of challenge and as a result some requirements may need to be adapted.
It is completely acceptable to change some of the requirements of the badges to allow individuals to access the badge (for example where there are special needs, cultural issues, or religious considerations to take into account) and the requirements outlined for the Activity Badges in this book do allow for some flexibility in order to obtain the badge.
If you would like help or advice when considering adapting the requirements of a badge please contact the Scout Association.

Pre-November 2011 requirements

To gain this badge, Scouts must complete the requirements below:
  1. Hold the Nautical Skills Badge.
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of pilotage, navigation lights, sound signals, tides, currents and eddies, as relevant to your local waters.
  3. Take care of and maintain a boat or canoe for a period of at least three months.
  4. Know how to get local weather forecasts, understand their importance and be able to recognise signs of changing weather.
  5. Choose two of the following four activities:
    1. gain the RYA Level 2 Power Boat
    2. gain the RYA Start Sailing 3
    3. gain the BCU Paddlepower Discover
    4. gain the Scout Association's Pulling Badge
  6. Take part in an expedition afloat with a minimum 24-hour duration.
  7. Obtain a Permit to undertake water activities.
  8. Complete from the list of nautical skills training activities
    1. one further item from the practical skills section, making sure that at least two skill areas have been covered.
    2. two further items from the safety section.
    3. one further item from the rules of the road and communications section.
    4. three further items from the remaining five sections.
  9. Maintain a log or other record of the water activities completed.

Notes 

Reference should be made to the Activity rules in chapter nine of Policy, Organisation and Rules and the Adventurous Activity Permit Scheme
If you need help designing alternatives to these requirements for those with special needs please contact the Special Needs Office at Gilwell Park.