Ship Quartermaster Scout Interest Badge

A well-run boatshed is built on discipline, knowledge, and pride in seamanship. The Ship Quartermaster Scout Interest Badge challenges you to take responsibility for the care, organisation, and readiness of boats and equipment. As a Quartermaster, you ensure everything is correctly stored, well maintained, and ready for safe use at all times. Through practical experience, you will develop ropework and rigging skills, manage equipment effectively, and support the smooth running of your Troop’s water activities. This badge underpins all water activity badges by building the skills needed to prepare, maintain, issue, and manage equipment used in Watermanship, Oarsman, Sailing, Boatman, and Helmsman activities.

Badge Requirements

Safety and Hazard Awareness
Apply safe practices in the handling, storage, and use of equipment:
1. Demonstrate safe storage and handling of flammable liquids and gases.
2. Inspect, clean, dry, and correctly store personal flotation devices (PFD).
3. Maintain a safe and orderly boatshed by ensuring:
  - Access routes are kept clear
  - Equipment is securely stacked and stored
  - Serviceable and unserviceable gear is clearly separated
4. Explain the correct response to a minor equipment emergency (e.g. rope failure, fuel spill), including immediate containment and reporting and corrective action..
Rope Maintenance and Care
Demonstrate correct handling, maintenance, and readiness of ropes for safe boating use:
1. Remove a new coil of rope correctly without introducing twists or kinks.
2. Taking down a rope for running out without tangling or kinking.
3. Demonstrate correct belaying techniques to:
  - A cleat
  - A belaying pin
    ensuring lines are secure, neat, and ready for controlled release.
4. Inspect ropes and identify wear, including fraying, abrasion, stiffness, or rot (natural fibre ropes).
5. Demonstrate rope care and storage, including:
  - Clean appropriately (e.g. freshwater rinse and proper drying).
  - Correct coiling or hanking for storage and transport
  - Safe stowage in a dry, ventilated, and protected environment.
6. Demonstrate how to whip the end of a manilla rope securely using an appropriate whipping method.
Blocks, Shackles and Mechanical Advantage
Understand and apply basic rigging systems used in boating operations:
1. Identify the principal parts of a block.
2. Identify and demonstrate the use of the following:
  - Single block
  - Double block
  - Fiddle block
  - Snatch (check) block
  - Block with swivel or fixed eye
  - Block with becket
  - Block fitted with a hook or snap shackle
  - Self-locking block
3. Identify and correctly use different types of shackles.
4. Rig and operate a simple purchase system safely to lift or tension a load:
  - Rig and explain at least two purchase systems (e.g. 2:1, 3:1, or 4:1).
  - Demonstrate safe use of a purchase system under controlled load conditions.
  - Explain how mechanical advantage improves efficiency and safety
Equipment Care and Storage
Maintain boats and equipment to a high standard in a safe, serviceable condition:
1. Demonstrate how to clean, inspect, and correctly store:
  - Sails
  - Sheets and halyards
  - Running rigging
  - Standing rigging
2. Demonstrate how to prepare and secure a pulling boat and sailing dinghy appropriately:
  - After a full day's activity
  - For a short unattended period
3. Take responsibility for packing away all equipment after boating activities, ensuring all items are clean, complete, and correctly stowed.
Anchoring and Mooring Operations
Demonstrate safe and effective methods of securing boats:
1. Identify the main parts of an anchor.
2. Identify at least three types of anchors and explain when each is used.
3. Select and carry out a suitable anchoring method based on depth, wind, and seabed conditions.
4. Correctly use a trip line and retrieval buoy.
5. Moor a boat safely to a jetty or dock using appropriate lines and knots.
6. Demonstrate correct placement and use of fenders when alongside.
Quartermaster Responsibility and Store Management
Demonstrate good seamanship practice, responsibility and leadership:
1. Inspect the boatshed or Quartermaster store to identify unsafe conditions, incorrect stowage, and maintenance issues. Propose improvements, then work with the Patrol to reorganise the area to meet safe and efficient storage standards. Include before-and-after evidence (e.g. photographs).
2. Demonstrate consistent good seamanship in the boatshed or Quartermaster store over a period of three months, including:
  - Equipment organisation
  - Equipment readiness
  - Equipment cleanliness and order
3. Maintain a Quartermaster Logbook over three months, recording:
  - Equipment checks
  - Maintenance tasks
  - Issues identified and actions taken
    Present the logbook to the Examiner and reflect on improvements made.
4. Assist in preparing, checking, and issuing equipment for at least two Troop water activities (e.g. sailing, rowing, paddling, or rescue practice/training), including:
  - Using equipment checklists
  - Inspecting gear for safety and completeness
  - Assisting with rigging or setup
  - Loading and unloading equipment
  - Ensuring correct cleaning and storage after use

Recommended Age Range: The Ship Quartermaster Scout Interest Badge is recommended for Scouts aged 15 to 17 years who have completed core water-based Scoutcraft and boating progression badges and are ready for greater technical responsibility. It is designed for Scouts progressing from boat handling to equipment management, seamanship systems, and boatshed leadership, with a focus on safety, organisation, and practical operational readiness.

Badge Examiner: Training and examination for this badge should be conducted by a suitably qualified individual who has relevant experience or formal training in the specific field of expertise being assessed. The ideal examiner should be an experienced Scouter, qualified water activity instructor, or competent Group/Troop Quartermaster with practical boating and equipment management experience, ideally holding a current Water Activity Licence (WAL). They must be able to assess safety, seamanship, and boatshed operations, including ropework, rigging, and equipment care, while also recognising leadership, judgement, and responsible practice.

Safe From Harm: Whilst completing the requirements for this badge, Scouts must not be placed in hazardous or dangerous situations under any circumstances. All activities must comply with SCOUTS South Africa Safe from Harm framework and be supervised by responsible adults. Participation should offer meaningful learning or service experiences while ensuring the Scout's safety and well-being at all times.

Badge Requirements in printable PDF format

Ship Quartermaster Scout Interest Badge (PDF)

Last Update

May 2020

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