Overview:  Seabadge Underway is a national training program of BSA that is open to Sea Scout leaders, other Scout leaders, and Professional Scouters.  SBU helps prepare adult leaders to operate a Sea Scout vessel in a safe and productive way under moderate conditions.  You will have lot of fun doing Sea Scout activities on Lake Huron.  During the course, each participant will be treated as a youth leader in the Sea Scout program.  You will function as Boatswain and Navigator for a day in each capacity and will serve a helmsman, deckhand, and cook the remaining days.  The Course Director will model the Ship’s Skipper.  You will experience a Long Cruise just as a Sea Scout would.  It’s a lot of fun.

Participant Requirements: Be a registered BSA adult leader or professional for more than a year.  Meet the requirements of a BSA high Adventure Physical including height and weight standards.  Be current with Venturing Youth Protection training and Trainers Edge.  Have completed Sea Scout Basic Adult Leader Training, and hold current completion certificates for Safety Afloat, Safe Swim Defense, and Weather Hazards; all of which can be taken on-line. In addition you must hold a current First Aid Certificate with CPR from a recognized agency and a current BSA High Adventure Medical form including Parts A,B, & C.  You must be able to swim 200 yards.  You need to have a New Century Universal or Sea Scout white and khaki uniforms with all insignia as described in the current Sea Scout Manual.  You will need to master the Safety and Seamanship chapter of the current Sea Scout Manual. 

During the course you must pass a written BSA Seamanship and Navigation tests with a score of 70% or higher and tie all 15 Sea Scout knots in less than 3 minutes.  Be able to pipe Attention, All Hands, Pipe the Side, and Carry On. Pass a uniform inspection.  Pass the evaluation on each day by correctly performing position on the crew.

All of this obviously requires participants to prepare themselves prior to attending Seabadge Underway.  This is a tough course and it’s likely that not everyone who attends will pass the course.  Preparation is the key.  It is highly recommended that participants take the USSPS Seamanship and Piloting or the USCG-A equivalent courses prior to attending.  Mastery of these basic skills is imperative for applicants to be successful in the course.

Seabadge Underway Costs

The $550 fee covers your food, and accommodations on Retriever for 8 nights.  All the Retriever fuel, dockage, maintenance is included.  You will need to provide for your own transportation to Mackinaw City, Michigan, and your uniform and personal equipment costs and any costs you incur in preparation.

Apply now, to attend SBU-18-MI-2016 by contacting Wayne Hastings, Course Coordinator for an application ( LWHastings@yahoo.com or cell 734-718-1113)  and send a completed application with a non-refundable $50 payment to Wayne at 36281 Brookview, Livonia, MI, 48152.  After the applicants are selected, those not selected will have their $50 returned.  The complete $550 fee needs to be paid by Feb 28, 2016 or an alternate will be offered your place in SBU.  Alternates will have 30 days to pay their entire SBU fee.  Registration for SBU opens October 15, 2015. Your current BSA High Adventure Physical including Parts A, B, and C are needed on or before Feb 28.  In 2015, Michigan SBU filled the required 6 participant places in a week. There are only approximately 100 Scouters who have completed SBU in the USA.  Info on Retriever:   http://michiganscouting.org/outdooradventures/boy-scout-camp/great-lakes-sailing-adventure/ More SBU information is available from the six Central Region SBU Champions who have all taken SBU and Seabadge courses. All checks payable to “MCC” reference SBU 2016 in the memo area.