COVER STORY
SCOU T S
Sea Scouting started in the U.S. in 1912 and has had a long and rich tradition. Massachusetts was the first state to have a ship.
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rthur A. Carey of Waltham used his schooner Pioneer and was subsequently appointed Chairman of the National Council Committee on Sea Scouting. Over the past 109 years, thousands of young men and women have had the opportunity to follow the traditions of the sea, while having fun and developing critical skills. “Now, the South Coast is finally getting its own Sea Scout Ship #1930,” announced a proud Joseph Pacheco, who is the hardworking Commodore of the Low Tide Yacht Club that is sponsoring this project. “Sea Scouting is a Venturing Division of the Boy Scouts of America. Cub Scouts have packs, Boy Scouts have troops, and Sea Scouts have ships and are established all across the country on oceans, bays, rivers, and lakes. They provide limitless opportunities and exciting challenges that you won't find anywhere else. Sea Scouts is a place to grow and learn, find adventure, and build long-lasting friendships.” The Scoutmaster of a Sea Scouting Ship is called the skipper. Dennis Pacheco (no relation to Commodore Pacheco)
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will assume that role. “We are recruiting co-ed teens ages 14 to 21 from Westport to Wareham. The next-closest Sea Scout Ships are in Warren, Falmouth, North Weymouth, and Nauset. The time has come for local South Coast teens to
Now, the South Coast is finally getting its own Seas Scout Ship #1930 learn about our maritime history, become better citizens, build character, improve boating skills, and gain experience of water safety through adventures on sea and land,” said Dennis. Teen members of Sea Scout Ship #1930 will become proficient in safety, swimming, boating, sailing, marlinspike, piloting, seamanship, signaling, cruising, galley preparations, first aid, lifesaving, navigation, boat and engine maintenance, sea history, equipment, forecasting weather, using a marine radio properly, ethics, customs, and ideals. Sea Scouts
December 2021 | The South Coast Insider
AT S E A by Rona Trachtenberg across the country hold jamborees, rendezvous, regattas, and even enter international competitions for trophies. The scouts can work as a team or set personal advancement goals through ranks of Apprentice, Ordinary, Able, and Quartermaster, as explained in the Sea Scout Manual. More importantly, they will make long-lasting friendships while enjoying adventures on land and sea. Teens already participating in Girl and/ or Boy Scouts are welcome to join Sea Scouts also. As an added perk, Commodore Pacheco promised, “During the boating season, our Sea Scouts will have the opportunity to practice the skills they have learned on a real boat from our Low Tide Yacht Club. We are thrilled to be spearheading this Sea Scout Ship #1930 because it fits right in with our club’s mission: to educate others about marine activities such as boating, sailing, navigation and boating safety and to support other groups who promote and further maritime interest.”
ABOVE AND BELOW DECK
According to Rick Washburn, National Coast Guard Auxiliary Commodore, “In August 2018, an agreement between the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Boy Scouts of America made Sea Scouts the official youth program of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. The Coast Guard
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