Germantown Sea Scouts Are the Masters of Their Fate

Saturday, June 9, 2018 started with grim prospects for weather for those planning outdoor activities... a 70% chance of thunderstorms. But for five Montgomery County youth with a vision and plan, it was not going to rain on their parade!

The five members of Sea Scout Ship 125, along with families, friends, and dignitaries representing Sea Scouting, the American Legion (Post 295, the unit's chartering organization), and the marina's board of directors and neighbors, assembled pierside at Bowley's Marina in Middle River, Maryland, to thank the donor of their S2 9.2A (9.2 meter/30-foot aft-cockpit) sailing yacht and the marina that gave them a home port, and to rename and commission the vessel as the flagship of the Sea Scout Ship's growing fleet.

The weather held off--the Sea Scouts were blessed with a beautiful, sunny day, with raindrops only beginning to fall as the closing words of their ceremony were spoken.

The weather was rather ironic, given the vessel's new name--the Sea Scout Sail Training Vessel (SSSTV) Invictus--Latin for "unconquerable." Others planning an event that day might have cancelled, or moved the activity indoors, given the weather predictions. But with a constant eye on the weather and a "Plan B" in case things turned south (after all, the Boy Scouts' motto is "Be Prepared"), the Sea Scouts went forward with their ceremony without flinching or shying away--and conquered it! They completed the ceremonial ritual for renaming a vessel in accordance with ancient maritime traditions and christened and commissioned their new vessel in a modified Navy tradition, proudly "manning the rails" as they brought the boat's new legacy alive.

The SSSTV Invictus joins the unit's fleet, which includes a 27' sail training yacht, a Sunfish sail training vessel, a trailerable trimaran, and a rigid-hull inflatable dinghy. Together, these vessels offer the Sea Scouts a variety of seamanship training experiences and adventures. Ship 125 sails on the Chesapeake Bay, and on the Potomac River and local lakes with their trailerable boats.

Sea Scouting is a co-ed program for youth ages 14-20 (or age 13/graduated 8th grade). As a program of the Boy Scouts of America, it's purpose is to prepare youth to become responsible, participating citizens and leaders who are guided by the Scout Oath and Law. Sea Scouts accomplishes this by introducing youth to sailing, teamwork, excitement, camaraderie, and providing them opportunities to experience challenges they've never encountered before, while working with and leading others in all the activities of the program, as they grow in confidence and resilience. Adult mentors provide sailing instruction, encouragement, guidance and advice, and ensure their safety, while the youth explore the horizon.

For more information about Sea Scout Ship 125 and our summer and year-long programs, contact skipper@ship125.org or visit us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SeaSc...