Example Daily Schedule

Below is the general daily schedule.  Note that our ports of call and route may change due to the weather.  As always, the VBO of each boat will determine his boat and crew’s readiness for any day’s adventure and adjust accordingly.  Safety is paramount.

The wind is usually from the south or southwest in the summer. Due to the heating of the atmosphere during the summer, thunderstorms form in the early to midafternoon during the hottest part of the day. Therefore, we generally get on the water early each day so that we can arrive at our destination by early afternoon.  This affords the crew an opportunity to explore the surrounding area and set up for the evening meal.

A typical schedule for a day of long-distance cruising might be:

6 am   Wake up.  Each crew prepares breakfast.  Prepare the boat for sailing.

7 am   Pull anchor and start towards the day’s destination.  Lunch is under way.

2 pm   Arrive at destination and tie up at a dock or anchor.

          Explore the destination.

8 pm   Prepare a hot dinner and relax.

11 pm Lights out and get a good night’s sleep.  Tomorrow is another adventure!

The daily schedule is also determined by our route that day.  Our expected route options will be determined 7-10 days before leaving the dock and will be subject to weather conditions in the area.  Therefore, the inclusion of any planned port of call is subject to change.

Your family will be provided with a special online link so they can see our progress along the route during the Cruise.

In addition, we will regularly post pictures to the Sea Scout Territory 15 Facebook page so they can see you having fun!

Crew Quarters

Crew members will be staying on their assigned vessels throughout the Cruise. Equipment and personal belongings will be stowed in the ship cabins.  Sleeping arrangements, finalized before arrival, will involve sleeping in the ship cabins – as well as on deck (where it is often cooler in the summer). 

Female adults and female youth will be assigned to appropriate quarters.  Safeguarding Youth Training (SYT/YPT) guidelines will be followed.  There are two or more experienced adult Scouters assigned to each boat

Remember, cruising on boats of this size can be very “cozy,” especially for sleeping and during rainy weather. You are in ‘close quarters’ with everyone – similar to tent camping, except you’re inside the “tent” all day and night on a boat. So, it is very important that all crew be comfortable living in close proximity to others for extended periods of time … and practice courtesy and patience with crewmates.  If you have claustrophobia, you should strongly reconsider being on a relatively small boat packed with people, equipment, and supplies for 8 days.

Galley Plan

All on-board food items will be provided by the cruise Food Provisioner.  Each boat crew will be given provisions and be responsible for the preparation of their meals. Breakfast and lunch will likely be eaten underway on several days. The provisions will include plenty of snacks for hungry Sea Scouts – you don’t need to bring any food. 

An official menu will be provided prior to the cruise.  See the Meal Plan section for more information.  Be sure to notify us of any food allergies on the appropriate forms. 

Bowls, cups, eating utensils, cooking equipment, etc. are provided on each boat. 

All Scouts will share in the cooking and cleaning duties on their respective boats.

You will need to bring somewhere between $50-100 of ‘pocket money’ (cash, debit, or credit card) for other expenses.  Note that ATM machines can be very hard to find in the remote areas where we cruise.  We plan to eat at least one meal as a group at a restaurant.  Depending on how the weather affects our route, this pocket money can be used for onshore restaurant meals, ice cream shops, and any souvenirs you purchase in ports-of-call.  Many Sea Scouts like to buy a couple of souvenirs at the interesting places we visit.

Meal Plan

When you submit your application, we will gather allergy information and dietary restrictions from each participant to ensure our grub options are suited to everyone on the voyage. Each meal on board will be provided, meaning no scouts will be responsible for bringing their own food. There will be one, possibly two, meals at local restaurants – one of the reasons you need to bring some spending money.  Please see the information below to get an overview of our food provisions.

Note that what we can prepare for meals is often influenced by the weather.  VBOs are constantly adjusting our cruise to maximize the fun … while maintaining a safe environment for the crew.  Therefore, for some meals, cooking while underway may be temporarily suspended due to weather.  We have a large stock of tasty items that don’t require cooking.  Each crew manages their food supply and prepares their meals as a crew, rotating cooking and cleanup responsibilities throughout the cruise.

A well-fed crew is a happy crew!

Breakfast:    A typical breakfast underway may include sausage, eggs, cheese, English muffins, pancakes with syrup, Jelly on Toast, Bagels, and oatmeal in rotation.

Lunch:         Lunch is often eaten while underway and may include things like Wraps with deli meats, Chips, Jerky, Pepperoni, Crackers, Cheese, Nutrition Bars, PB&J sandwiches, Fruit, etc. Simple but nutritious and easy while under way.

Dinner:        This is where scouts get creative. Our grub may include meals like:

• Meat, Veggies, and Noodles – a good staple for any hungry crew
• Taco Casserole – chicken or beef with chips, guacamole, salsa, etc.
• Chicken Fried Rice with vegetable stir fry
• Colonial Burgers – cooked to perfection
• Quarterdeck Quesadillas with chicken or beef, and all the fixin’s

A sample menu will be emailed to you prior to the cruise.  Be sure to note any food allergies or dietary restrictions on the Health Forms.  We can supply alternative meals – but only if you tell us at least a month ahead of the cruise. 

Personal Flotation Devices (PFD)

Per local state law and Scouting America guidelines, scouts will be required to wear well-fitted life jackets while underway and on deck.  The exception to this rule is rare and at the VBO’s discretion. Scouts will be responsible for acquiring and bringing their own USCG approved PFDs. A traditional Type III is the primary standard.  All other types will not be accepted – including inflatables. If you are unsure whether your PFD meets these requirements, ask your Ship Skipper or boat VBO at least 30 days prior to the cruise.  Check the Gear Advice section for suggestions about PFDs.

Footwear

Scouting America requires close-toed shoes to be worn for all activities. This extends to water activities, with the exception of swimming in designated safe swim areas. VBOs require shoes that are non-marking (non-black soles). Sneakers and water shoes that fit these specifications are required. Water Shoes with white soles are best.  Boots are never recommended for boating activities.

Packing List

Remember, all gear must fit into the Cruise Duffel Bag provided to you.  The only exceptions are your sleeping pad, musical instrument, and life jacket (PFD).

The cruise is in June/July.  You will spend a lot of time in a swimsuit or t-shirts.  Use layers at night to stay warm.

Review the Gear Advice and Printable Packing List on the Cruise Prep part of our website.

Space on a sailboat is very limited … PACK LIGHT!

Safety Protocols

Each boat has a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) manual onboard created specifically for our cruise by the VBOs and Safety Officer.  As crew, you are expected to follow all safety instructions of the VBOs and Safety Officer.

Each crew member should be able to recite the Sea Scout Promise from memory:

As a Sea Scout, I promise to do my best:

     To guard against water accidents,

     To know the location and proper use of the lifesaving devices on every boat I board,

     To be prepared to render aid to those in need,

     To let those less able come first.

Prior to departure day, our USCG Aux Float Plan documents will be filed with the relevant persons.  We have scheduled a daily call to our Ground Crew (support team).

Our VBOs have both a primary and backup VHF marine radio on each boat for ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore communications.  Each boat has passed a recent Vessel Safety Check.

Before we cast off any lines, each boat VBO will give an orientation of his boat’s features and safety equipment.

Upon leaving the dock on day one, one of our duties is doing a crew overboard drill, fire drill, collision drill, etc.  These drills will be practiced occasionally throughout the cruise.

BSA Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat protocols are to be followed each day when Sea Scouts are in or on the water.

As a general rule, Sea Scouts are required to wear their PFD while under way and on deck.  Occasionally, the VBO of each boat may waive this rule in special circumstances.  Since you will be wearing a PFD most of the time, bring a PFD that meets the requirements above – and is also comfortable in hot weather.

Read the Gear List for suggestions about the best type of PFD to bring. If you don’t have a personal PFD, there are also tips included to consider when making your purchase.  You can also ask your home Ship Skipper or Cruise VBO for advice.

You must bring an acceptable PFD in order join the Cruise and board the boat.  No exceptions.  Your PFD will be checked by staff at the Launch Day registration table.

NOTE:  Sea Scouts and adult Scouters who do not follow the safety instructions of the VBOs are subject to immediate expulsion from the cruise.  We take safety seriously.

Medical Staff and First Aid

Safety on the water is an important part of our cruise.  Regardless of everyone’s best efforts, however, things can go wrong on occasion.  For parts of the cruise, we are on open water some distance from land and many hours away from traditional medical facilities.  In fact, some legs of our journey are over open water … with no land in sight! 

Fortunately, several of our adult crew members have Red Cross First Aid training.  Some adults have Wilderness First Aid training.  Each boat has a standardized First Aid kit selected by our Medical Officer and designed to handle routine, basic first aid issues.   However, expect that it will require many hours to reach any type of significant medical assistance.