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Sea Scouting and Royal Navy Recognition
 

 

The Scheme & Memorandum of Agreement

Sea Scouting in the U.K. began in 1908, one year after the establishment of scouting itself.

During World War I Sea Scouts performed duties as coastal lookouts and messengers and, in recognition of these deeds, were formally recognised by the Admiralty Board in 1919, this allowed them access to Naval equipment and facilities whilst still remaining independent of any Naval control.

During World War II the scheme was converted so that Sea Scout groups who show themselves able to reach certain levels of proficiency could apply for stores and grants to help train young men in basic seamanship before entering military service. The scheme has been running since then, overseen by Second Sea Lord / Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command and regulated by a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Scout Association.

Although there are some 425-450 Sea Scout groups throughout the UK, the MoD recognises a maximum of 101. In order to remain in the scheme groups must maintain high standards. Any Sea Scout group can apply for recognition subject to certain criteria laid down in the MOA.

Sea Scouts are not financially supported by the MoD, apart from an annual capitation grant to the Scout Association. The driving force behind groups applying for and remaining in the Royal Naval recognition scheme is the kudos and associated pride.

Only 101 of the 450 Sea Scout Groups are recognised at any one time.

 

RN Recognised Sea Scout Groups

 

RN No   Address   RN No   Address
1   4th Gillingham (Rainham) Sea Scouts    51   1st Felpham Sea Scouts 
2   3rd Portchester Sea Scouts    52   17th Colchester Sea Scouts 
3   1st Oulton Broad Sea Scouts    53   6th Itchen Sea Scouts 
4   13th Ipswich Sea Scouts    54   12th Halifax Sea Scouts 
5   4th Epping Forest South Sea Scouts    55   1st St Peter in Thanet 
6   Newbold-on-Stour Sea Scouts    56   1st Petersham & Ham Sea Scouts 
7   Guernsey Sea Scouts    57   1st Clifton Sea Scouts 
8   3rd Wallsall Sea Scouts    58   1st/10th Sutton Coldfield Sea Scouts 
9   2nd Cowes Sea Scouts    59   8th Wothing Sea Scouts 
10   1st Batchworth Sea Scouts    60   4th Thames Ditton (Ajax) Sea Scouts 
11   1st Lytham St Annes Sea Scouts    61   2nd Durrington Sea Scouts 
12   15th Macclesfield Sea Scouts    62   9th New Forest South Sea Scouts 
13   2nd Walthamstow Sea Scouts    63   1st Watchet Sea Scouts 
14   2nd Warwick Sea Scouts    64   19th Exeter Sea Scouts 
15   2nd Reading Sea Scouts    65   1st Bungay Sea Scouts 
16   36th Epping Forest (Sth) Sea Scouts    66   21st Sunderland Sea Scouts 
17   GSL 18th Inverness Sea Scouts    67   6th Ramsgate Sea Scouts 
18   4th Dovercourt Sea Scouts    68   1st Blofield & Brundall Sea Scouts 
19   1st West Bay Sea Scouts    69   1st Luton Sea Scouts 
20   4th/6th Leigh-on-Sea Sea Scouts    70   11th Norwich Sea Scouts 
21   8th Faversham Sea Scouts    71   3rd Wigton Sea Scouts 
22   4th New Forest East (Hythe)    72   19th Tynemouth Sea Scouts 
23   3rd/5th Lancing Sea Scouts    73   3rd Chalkwell Bay Sea Scouts 
24   1st Hertford Sea Scouts    74   1st Molesey Sea Scouts 
25   25th Southampton Sea Scouts    75   38th Portsmouth Sea Scouts 
26   8th Norwich Sea Scouts    76   2nd Deal Sea Scouts 
27   64th Birkenhead Sea Scouts    77   1st Cleethorpes Sea Scouts 
28   2nd Abingdon Sea Scout Group    78   30th Norwich Sea Scouts 
29   6th Torbay Sea Scouts    79   1st Cogenhoe Sea Scouts 
30   Leander (Kingston) Sea Scouts    80   27th High Wycombe Sea Scouts 
31   14th Tonbridge Sea Scouts    81   Dartford Cambria Sea Scouts 
32   3rd South Shields Sea Scouts    82   5th Gosport Sea Scouts 
33   3rd Shoreham Sea Scouts    83   1st Reading Sea Scouts 
34   9th Stafford Sea Scouts    84   3rd Poole Sea Scouts 
35   3rd Frodsham Sea Scouts    85   17th Sutton Coldfield Sea Scouts 
36   1st Kings Norton Sea Scouts    86   1st Rhu Sea Scouts 
37   6th Shoreham Sea Scouts    87   1st Barry Sea Scouts 
38   11th Torbay Sea Scouts    88   1st Southwater Sea Scout Group 
39   4th Streatham Sea Scouts    89   9th Itchen Sea Scouts 
40   3rd Bingley Sea Scouts    90   29th Glasgow Sea Scouts 
41   1st Tyne Sea Scouts    91   6th Newark Sea Scouts 
42   10th Christchurch Sea Scouts    92   4th Itchen South Sea Scouts 
43   10th Enfield Sea Scouts    93   5th Woodbridge Sea Scouts 
44   4th Heswall Sea Scouts    94   15th Long Eaton Sea Scouts 
45   1st Lilliput Sea Scouts    95   1st Cuddington Sea Scouts 
46   2nd Beeston Sea Scouts    96   4th Pinner Sea Scouts 
47   35th Bournemouth Sea Scouts    97   6th Barry Sea Scouts 
48   1st Southbourne Sea Scouts    98   1st Hampton Hill sea Scouts 
49   4th Allerton Sea Scouts    99   4th New Forest North Sea Scouts
50   Holy Trinity (Margate) Sea Scouts    100   6th Falmouth Sea Scouts 
        101   Gibraltar Sea Scouts 

 

Privileges
 

  • One of only 101 Royal Navy Recognised Sea Scout Groups.
     

  • Leaders, Explorers, Scouts and Cubs wear Royal Navy Recognition Badge.
     

  • Group Flies defaced Red Ensign.
     

  • Subject to 18 monthly Royal Navy Inspection.

     

  • Eligible to attend Big Three Events:

     

    • Summer Camp, HMS BRISTOL, Portsmouth.
       

    • Soccer Sixes, HMS BRISTOL, Portsmouth.
       

    • Swimming Gala, HMS RALEIGH, Plymouth.

       

  • Eligible to utilise HMS BRISTOL's facilities and RN Sailing Centre Assets.
     

  • Visit Portsmouth Heritage area attractions at heavily discounted rates.
     

  • Preferential consideration to utilise local Military facilities.
     

  • Eligible to apply for grants from Scout Association for purchase of equipment/boats.
     

  • Eligible to apply for grants from Scout Association for development of Training.

 
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