SAFETY, SEAMANSHIP and
SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS

Small Boat Handler

The Small Boat Handler Certification is the Basic Sea Scout boating safety course. It consists of 2 basic components; Section 1 - Aids to Navigation and Rules of the Road; Section 2 - Boating Safety. The purpose is to get all crew members working off the same page, in a safe manner. Ship 11 normally conducts at least one program each year, generally over the course of several meetings and at least one field activity. An additional session may be scheduled if sufficient new recruits are added. Crew members that successfully complete the program will be awarded the SBH Bar.

Crew members may also take a qualified State, US Power Sqauadron, or USCG Basic Boating Safety course, and take the Ship's SBH quiz, to qualify.

Completion of basic boating safety is a pre-requisite for advancement to Qualified Seaman certification.

Qualified Seaman

The Qualified Seaman Certification is an Advanced training program that goes into significantly more detail on safety and seamanship, requiring more hands-on sessions, class projects and field drills. It has 8 Sections, and requires significant use of additional resources.

Completion of each module is required for certification. This program will extend over the summer and balance of the season.

MISSED SESSIONS
It is the responsibility of the crew members missing a classroom training session to request make-up, which will require their independant review of the missed material, and preparation of a written summary of the topic(s).

Make-up of missed Field Excercises will be at the Skipper's discretion, and will require the crew member to request make-up prior to a field outing, to ensure it can be facilitated, and that it will not detract from the sceduled activity for the rest of the crew.

QUIZ POLICY
The passing score for most quizzes will be 75%. Translated, that means you won't crash, get injured, or do something wrong at least 3 out of 4 times. (Think about it - it should be 100%) Crew memebers failing a quiz the first time, or missing a quiz date, may have the opportunity to retake the quiz, but must pass the make-up test at 80%, as they have had additional time to study, and/or will have seen the material at least once before. Make-up quizzes will be scheduled outside normal meeting time, so as not to disrupt the session at hand.

Safety At Sea

Specialized Safety at Sea programs are offered occaisionally. These are often Advanced/Optional programs. We have attended the USCG Sea Scout S@S program at Station Yerba Buena (San Francisco). We have also attended the US Sailing Association Open Water Ocean Racer S@S with world-class TransPac racing crews in Long Beach. These programs are costly, and often limit the number of participants, therefore all crew members may not be able to attend. Priority consideration will be applied. See Motivation below.

MOTIVATION
Crew Members completing these basic, advanced and optional certifications (along with attendance, participation and rank acievement) will be given priority consideration for participation in certain specialized or limited availability activities! Crew members are encouraged to participate in all classroom sessions, class projects and field excercises, maintain pace, and turn in assignments to help their priority for these and other events.