RN Recognised Sea Scouts

There are about 350 Scout groups and Explorer units around the country which have an emphasis on water-based activities and are Sea Scouts. Of these, only 101 hold official recognition by the Royal Navy.

This entails achieving and maintaining the high standards of the Scout programme, water activities, discipline and smartness, with these being checked at formal inspections held every 18-24 months.

Recognised groups work hard to ensure their Scouts continue to meet the criteria laid down by the Senior Service, which opens the door to use of facilities at locations including HMS Bristol in Portsmouth, HMS Raleigh at Torpoint and RN sailing centres.

In addition they can access grants from the Admiralty Fund administered by the Scout Association. Their Scouts and Explorers are also eligible to enter the ‘Big Four’ events – the swimming gala at HMS Raleigh early in the year, the week-long summer camp at HMS Bristol in Portsmouth, the Soccer Sixes tournament in late September/early October and the Explorer Camp in the autumn half-term.

Sea Scouting in the UK began in 1909, and quickly spread through the UK. During World War 1 Sea Scouts performed duties as coastal lookouts and messengers and, in recognition of this, were formally recognised by the Admiralty Board in 1919. During World War 2, selected Sea Scouts groups again helped the RN, receiving access to stores and grants in return for training young men in basic seamanship for military service.

RN Recognised Sea Scout groups are now found across the UK, from Inverness to Guernsey, Falmouth to Oulton Broad, with Gibraltar being Group 101.

The main driving force behind groups applying for and remaining in the Royal Naval Recognition Scheme is the kudos and associated pride. Some Groups have maintained their recognition since World War 2 – and show no sign of losing it.