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All-female Sea Scout Ship 100 honored by BoatUS for outstanding record of volunteerism, seamanship, fun, and fellowship.
Sea Scout Ship Viking (Ship 100), a San Francisco outpost of the national coeducational program under the Boy Scouts of America that blends youth boating and leadership skills with social and community service experiences, was named the 2023–24 BoatU.S. National Flagship – a recognition as the best “ship” (Sea Scout group) in the country. The all-female ship is chartered by the San Francisco Sailing Whaleboat Association and has 28 members, 11 of whom joined in the past year.
The young women charted an outstanding record of volunteerism, seamanship, and growth, combining camaraderie with lots of time spent on the water. A highlight among the ship’s 62 on-water days was a two-week cruise to the California Delta. The scouts got underway between ports aboard their open 30-foot Monomoy whaleboat, and for shorter daysails and drills took to dinghies for sailing and rowing. Other adventures included stand-up paddleboarding, waterskiing, and swimming.
The ship’s 2023 promotional video details how the program immerses participants in an entertaining but challenging environment built around teamwork and person growth.
In the community, Ship 100 scouts helped clear a former landslide site, retiled roofs and installed a new sprinkler system on Tinsley Island, and they helped introduce young kids to nautical activities at Maritime National Historic Park’s Junior Ranger Day. The ship also attended multiple regattas and rendezvous, and organized Cub Scout boat trips, and a Fleet Week BBQ.
“Sea Scout Ship Viking is outstanding because they ensure every single activity has an element of fun, where Sea Scouts are encouraged to be warm, welcoming, and bring their friends,” says Ben Feril, Sea Scout chairman. “This is bolstered by a policy of getting on the water every time a prospective new member attends a meeting.”
The honor was created by BoatU.S. in 2002 to mark the 90th anniversary of Sea Scouts and continues to recognize excellence in program quality, youth achievement, and adult commitment.