Monrovia Troop 66 Takes to the Seas

Long Beach Sea Base, Long Beach, California, April 20th, 2018 Monrovia Troop 66 boards the SSS Conquest 564. This weekend holds for Troop 66 an intensive Sea Scout training for our “Land Scouts”. Skipper Bradford of the SSS Conquest 564 invited Troop 66 to experience life as a Sea Scout. Sea Scouts is the hidden “Gem” of the BSA. Sea Scouts is a specialized program, organized to address a youth members’ boating skills and promote knowledge of our maritime heritage.

Sea Scout units, called “ships,” focus on sailing and cruising either sailboats, power vessels or paddle sports. During the boating season, Sea Scouts learn to maintain and operate vessels, with a focus on learning the safe and proper methods of handling boats. Sea Scouts also learn the meaning of buoys and lights, how to take advantage of wind and tide, and how to drop anchor or approach a dock.

Troop 66 was immersed into Introduction to Leadership Skills for Ships (ILSS). This course trained our Scouts in safe swim defense, safety afloat, stability in a boat, nautical nomenclature, use of oars and paddles, driving a motorboat, 50-yard swim check in the ocean, throw-row-go, nautical knots, water rescue with ringbouy’s and monkey’s fist.

Our scouts got a first-hand experience with skills and drills with marching and saluting. Emmanuel “E-Man” Palma, Boatswain’s Mate gave an excellent course in marching and commands. The scouts went from 0% to 80% the first night in skills. Skipper Johnny Bradford who is not only an Eagle Scout but holds the Sea Scout award of Quarter Master. This is Sea Scouts equivalent to the Eagle Scout award. Skipper Bradford educated out scouts in basic seamanship and motorboating. Each scout was at the helm and learned how to handle a small fishing boat. First mate Dana Carkey, (91 years young) assisted Skipper Bradford in teaching the scouts about motorboating.

Kaitlyn Madland, Boatswain; Emmanuel Palma, Boatswain’s Mate and Alec Johnson, Crew Leader educated our Patrol Leader Council several weeks prior to this training with a mini ILSS. The highlight of the training was watching two scouts from Troop 66 complete their BSA Swim test which is needed for rank advancement for 1st Class Scout. Leviathan Patrols own Nathan Juarez, 2nd Class Scout was the first to attempt, swimming 75 yards demonstrating 3 different strokes then 25 yards back stroke and floating. Next up was Adrian Guererro, 2nd Class Scout to attempt this undertaking. Scout Master Peters was on paddle board as Adrian jumped off the dock and headed out. Slow but steady, never stopping, moving forward. Adrian and Nathan completed their swim test, the reason this is a huge accomplishment as anyone can undertake a swim test in a pool, they completed their test in the ocean. They fought off cold, waves and the knowledge they are doing this in the ocean.

Once training was completed all scouts were able to show off their skills on the sea kayaks and paddle boards. Dawning their PFD’s and paddles they spent 3 hours practicing water skills. The next morning, they were up and doing it all over again. This weekend could not have been possible without our amazing leaders, Sam Kurutz, ASM; Andrea Arias, ASM; Redy Sanchez, ASM; Marivel Peters, EO; and the amazing Sea Scout leaders Johnny Bradford, Conquest Skipper, Eagle Scout and Quarter Master; Dana Carkey, First Mate; Emmanuel “E-Man” Palma, Boatswain’s Mate; Bill Reed, Poseidon Skipper; Kaitlyn Madland, Boatswain and Alec Johnson, Crew Leader and Robert Williams, Mate.

If you are interested in Sea Scouts, please contact Skipper Johnny Bradford of the SSS Conquest 564. Email: JohnnyB0647@gmail.com

SSS Conquest is berthed near Mother’s Beach, under the 2nd St Bridge at 5875 E. Appian Way, Long Beach, CA 90803.