Our Charter
Sea Scouts is a uniformed, co-ed Venture/Explorer crew organized through Boy Scouts of America, open to young men and women ages 14 though 21. Sea Scout Ship 11, the SSS-Spartan, was originally chartered in 2001, to serve the Antelope Valley District cities of Palmdale and Lancaster, and the surrounding unincorporated communities.

Goals and Objectives
Some crew members join for the experience, camaraderie and fun. Other members are preparing for careers in the service or at sea, or for higher education in the marine sciences. In either case, the training and experience will benefit them all.

For those that choose to apply thenselves, their rank advancement can make them eligible for advanced enlistment pay in the service, or qualify for preferred admissions to a Maritime Academy. Crew Alumni include graduates from Cal-Maritime working at sea for major cruise and transportation lines, and serving in the armed forces of the US Navy and Marine Corps.

Program and Training
The goal of Sea Scouts is to develop ethics, teamwork and leadership skills in young adults in a nautical environment. What better way to have fun at the same time! We accomplish this through a program of organized meetings and training sessions, field trips and outings, and participation in regional, national, and international competitive events, or regattas.

Crew members join as Seaman Recuits, and advance through the ranks of Apprentice, Ordinary, and Able Seaman through program of self paced study, with guidance from the Ship's Officers, Advisors, and Petty Officers. A select few will achieve the distinguished rank of Quartermaster, Sea Scouts highest honor.

Routine weekly and weekend training focuses on developing skills necessary for the safe operation of our vessels. All crew members are expected to complete Small Boat Handler certification within their first year. Certification as a Small Boat Handler and as Qualified Seaman earns the member the right to wear that bar on their uniforms, and participate in other advanced training and activities.

Program resources include the US Coast Guard, the Fire Department, California Department of Boating and Waterways, yacht clubs, and other qualified resources.

Training topics include Rules of The Road and Aids to Navigation, Charting, GPS, Piloting and Navigation, Firefighting and Damage Control, Ground Tackle and Anchoring, Signaling and Radio Communications, Vessel and Engine Maintenance, First Aid, Knots and Marlinspike skills, and others.

Specialized advanced leadership skills programs, such as SEAL Leadership Training, is available to those members that have acheived the rank of Ordinary Seaman, and upon application and recommendation of the Skipper. Rated members can alos apply for the unique oppirtunity to sail aboard the USCGC Eagle, the square rigged tall ship.

Crew members compete in local regattas, yacht club races, and have crewed on tall ships and on Merchant Marine Liberty Ships. Twice each year we travel to compete in the regional and international competitions, the Ancient Mariner Regatta in Alameda aboard the USS Hornet, and the Southwestern Rendezvous at Port Hueneme Naval Base. We have also participated in the TransPac Safety at Sea Program for competitive ocean racers, and the elite USCG Safety at Sea Program at Station San Francisco on Yerba Buena Island or at CG Station San DIego. For more info and photos, check out our Albums.

Our Fleet
The Ship's flagship is the M/V Tsunami, a 47' bluewater dieselTrawler, berthed in Marina del Rey. Other vessels in our fleet consist of several trailerable power and sail boats, as well as the Skipper's personal sailboat, a 27' Catalina, docked at King Harbor Marina, in Redondo Beach. Our operational powerboats include an 18' Voyager Pontoon, an 18"Seafair Sedan outboard, and a 22' Starcraft I/O runabout. Our operational sailboat fleet consists of a 12' and14' Holder (a Capri and Lido look alike), 18' Windrose, and a 22' Hunter. We have also been training on the tall ship Bill of Rights, a 138' schooner based at Channel Islands Marina in Ventura, CA. Click here for photos of our fleet.

Petty Officers and Crew
The Ship's crew elects their leadership, the Petty Officers, from within their ranks. The Chief Petty Officer is the Ship's Boatswain (BSN-Bosun, the President), followed by the Boatsain's Mates of Admin and Program (BMT/A and BMT/P- the vice-presidents) , the Yoeman (YMN-Secretary), and Purser (PSR-Treasurer), and Storekeeper (STK-Equipment and Supply Officer).

As the Ship's membership grows, Crew Leaders (CL) and Assistant Crew Leaders (ACL) will be appointed as necessary. In addition, those seeking technical or specialized areas of interest, i.e. engineering, etc, can be appointed to Specialist (SPEC) positions.

Ship's Officers
The Ship's Officers (adult leadership and advisors) consist of the Skipper and his Mates. Our Skipper (SK) is Steve Hofbauer, overall in charge of training and crew advancement.

Mates (MT) Greg Kramer and Sean Gorman are our Senior Mates and along with Mr Wallace are our Engineering Officers. Shiela Handley and Chris Hofbauer are the Junior Mates. Mates assisit the Skipper with crew training and operation. CAPT Chuck Hoey is our Sailing Advisor, assisted by his wife Diane.

Our Ship's Committee, supporting ongoing operations, advancement, uniforms and supplies, and general Administration, and is headed up by Mrs Gorman, Committee Secretary and Advancement Advisor, as well as Mrs Kramer, Administrative Advisor. Mrs. Hofbauer is our Charter Organization Representative.

Click here to meet the Ship's Officers and Petty Officers and Staff.

Meeting Schedule
From Labor Day in September through Memorial Day at the end of May, our Ship's meetings are held locally each Thursday from 7pm to 9pm. These focus on rank advancement, and specialized training or drills.

Summer schedule can vary, based on outings, fundraisers, cruises, and excursions. Check the calendar or call ahead!

Monthly Outings
Normally, at least one outing is scheduled each month. On the 1st weekend of the month, the Saturday morning is devoted to vessel maintenance and mechanical training for the crew. The afternoon is spent small boat sailing. We may also meet at our Boat Yard in Quartz Hill, as needs require. The use of this large lot is donated in exchange for lot maintenance and weed abatement. It works quite well, as the trailerable boats are available for vessel maintenance and drills.

Finance and Support
A Recruit's initiation is $50 to cover uniforms, manual, and registration. The full cost is significantly more, but is currently offset by donations or scholarships. Other gear and travel fees may occaisionally be required. Dues are collected by the crew at $10/month, and crew members are expected to support the operations through programs such as mothly recycling collections

Ship 11 is sponsored by the Antelope Valley Youth Maritime Association, through the Sea Scout Ship 11 Committee, Inc., a state and federally qualified 501 C-3 non-profit organization. Our non-profit status allows us to accept tax deductible donations of cash, equipment, and vessels to offset the operational expenses and equip the unit. Click here for info on how to support our program.

Recruit Info
For additional information, click here.
Read the AV Press Story about us.