Sea Scouts (Scouting Ireland)

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Sea Scouts (Gasóga Mara)
Owner	Scouting Ireland
Age range	Beaver Sea Scouts 6-8 Cub Sea Scouts 9-11 Sea Scouts 12-15 Venture Sea Scouts 15-17 Rover Sea Scouts 18-26
Country	Ireland
Founded	1912
Website https://www.seascouts.ie/
Scouting portal

Sea Scouting (Irish: Gasógaíacht Mhara) has existed in Ireland since 1912 and is a programme framework within Scouting Ireland.

Sea Scouting Groups operate as autonomous, volunteer-led community groups. Sea Scouting Groups operate in the same way as other Scout Groups except have a stronger focus on water safety, seamanship training and activities on the water.

The programme is designed to foster a love of adventure on the water alongside building technical activity skills and leadership afloat.

Typical activities may include; dinghy sailing, rowing, rafting, swimming, kayaking, windsurfing, powerboating, canoeing, marine science and oceanography, keelboat sailing, engine maintenance, chartwork and navigation, preservation of maritime heritage, water safety and seamanship; ropework, line-handling, meteorology, boat maintenance, communications.^[1]

Ireland and Sea Scouting is rich in maritime culture so you will often find Sea Scouting Groups emphasising a nautical framework and tradition in their activities.

Patrols are called Watches.

A Section Leader is called Skipper.

Most Sea Scouting Scouts, Ventures, Rovers and Scouters will wear the Navy-Knit Sea Scout Jumper, belt and duck (hat) as their uniform.

Most Sea Scouting Beavers and Cubs will wear the Navy-Knit Sea Scout Jumper.

Many Groups are known by their Port Number. e.g. 1st Port of Dublin (Ringsend).

Blessing of the Boats/ Launch Day is an annual feature to formally start the summer boating season.

Laying-Up Supper is a celebration of a successful year afloat.

Sea Scouting Groups offer a balanced programme of land and water activities to their members by encompassing all aspects of the ONE Programme. Sea Scouts will find themselves just as comfortable on the mountains and hills as they are at sea level. Camping under canvas, campcraft and hiking expeditions are a normal part of the programme.

Sea Scouting is a nautical framework accessible to Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Ventures and Rovers.

Anyone can become a Sea Scout, regardless if you are located by the sea, a river, a lake, inland waterways or even your closest puddle; we are sometimes affectionately known as puddle-pirates! – The important thing is a commitment to safety, seamanship and adventure afloat.^[2]