Amid ‘One Oath, One Law’ changes, the Sea Scout promise is here to stay

sea-scout-promiseAhoy, Sea Scouts and adult advisors!

While it’s true that the BSA is transitioning to the Scout Oath and Scout Law in all programs, I confirmed this morning that the Sea Promise isn’t going anywhere.

In October 2012, I first reported that the resolution to move away from the Cub Scout Promise, Law of the Pack, Venturing Oath and Venturing Code had passed. For Venturing, the change will take place in May 2014. For Cub Scouts, it’s May 2015.

Sea Scouts, however, are in a different boat. Here’s how Keith Christopher, National Director of the 101-year-old Sea Scouts BSA, explained it to me this morning:

We have always included the Scout Oath and Law in our knowledge base. From a traditional historical perspective we will keep the Sea Promise as a guide to nautical support.

Sure enough, while you’ll find the Sea Promise inside the front cover of the Sea Scout Manual, guess what’s inside the back cover? Yep, the Scout Oath and Scout Law.

And when you look at the text of the Sea Promise, it makes sense. The words focus more on boating safety than Scouting values. And so the three — Scout Oath, Scout Law, Sea Promise — can all live in harmony on the high seas.

By the way, here’s the Sea Promise:

As a Sea Scout I promise to do my best:

  • To guard against water accidents
  • To know the location and proper use of the lifesaving devices on every boat I board
  • To be prepared to render aid to those in need
  • To seek to preserve the motto of the sea : Women and Children First
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About Bryan Wendell 3282 Articles
Bryan Wendell, an Eagle Scout, is the founder of Bryan on Scouting and a contributing writer.