All Aboard the Sea Scouts’ 2016 National Flagship!

Sea Scout Ship 100, the “Viking,”  was honored with the 2016 National Flagship Award last week, thanks to the hard work of Sea Scouts from the San Francisco Bay Area Council. Congratulations to 2015 Boatswains, Louise H., Miranda H., current Boatswain Sofia M., Skipper Tamara S., and the rest of the crew for leading their ship to victory!

Presented by BoatUS and BSA’s Sea Scout program, the award recognizes excellence in program quality, youth achievement, and adult commitment. According to a release on the Sea Scout’s official website, “it is because of these attributes, as reflected by the “Viking’s” exemplary program of seamanship and youth development, that we honor them with this award.”

The Viking’s name will be inscribed on the permanent National Flagship plaque at the National Scouting Museum in Irving, Texas, and the Ship’s crew will receive a trophy and official Flagship flag­, flown only by award recipients.

Masters of Maritime

It’s certainly been an excellent year for the Viking’s crew—they were the first female ship to win the Ancient Mariner Regatta’s rowing race final, and their piloting, navigation, and seamanship skills also brought home the Navigator’s award. Some of the ship’s additional 2015 accomplishments include attending five Sea Scout regattas, completing the U.S. Sailing Association’s Safety at Sea seminar, and winning the Western Region Flagship title.

The annual Sea Scout National Flagship Award was established to salute the 90th anniversary of Sea Scouts in 2002. The Viking is unique however, because it’s now the first ship to receive the award since the Sea Scouts became its own program this February.

Home-ported in the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park, Sea Scout Ship 100 currently has an all-female crew of 20 youth members and 10 adults. The Viking’s main boat is a 1938 US Navy whaleboat, which wins frequent awards at historic sailboat races.

Does your Scouting group use teamwork to stay in ship-shape? Tell us how working together has helped lead your troop, pack, crew, or post to triumph!