At the end of both seasons there is an assessment of seamanship skills for Mariners with Sea Scouts from around the country. Events are held in Vallejo and San Pedro.
Several Sea Scout ships compete in sailing, rowing, and general nautical skills. These events have turned out to be some of the most popular with the members.
SOUTHWESTERN RENDEZVOUS
The Southwestern Rendezvous is a gathering of Sea Scouts and Mariners. We come together for three days of fun, fellowship, and spirited competition.
This regional event is held every November over Thanksgiving weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday).
Youth enjoy the opportunity to meet Sea Scouts and Mariners from near and far. We’ve had ships attend from Florida, the Midwest, both Northern and Southern California, and even England.
Two full days of events test participants’ leadership abilities and nautical skills. Activities challenge everyone both mentally and physically. The third day is dedicated to the awards ceremony. You may even take home the Golden Windjammer Trophy.
Competition events range from knot tying to uniform inspection, from swimming to marlinspike skills. They include drill, Mariners quiz, sailing, and scuttlebutt. In total, there are over 25 different events. There is also a dance on Saturday night.
ANCIENT MARINER REGATTA (AMR)
The historical and action-packed Ancient Mariner Regatta has challenged thousands of Sea Scouts to do their best as they compete in 27 exciting events, including seamanship, whaleboat races, sailing, piloting, knot tying, and much more.
This regional event has been held every year over Memorial Day weekend (Friday through Monday).
Participants enjoy the opportunity to meet Sea Scouts and Mariners from near and far.
Three full days of events test leadership abilities and nautical skills. Activities challenge participants both mentally and physically. The third day is dedicated to the awards ceremony.
Competition events range from knot tying to uniform inspection, from swimming to marlinspike skills. They include drill, Mariners quiz, sailing, and scuttlebutt. In total, there are over 27 different events. There is also a dance on Saturday night.
In previous years, all four teams scored above 80% on ship skills assessments. These skills include knots, compass use, relative bearing, heaving line, ring buoy, and the Mariners quiz.
This means Mariners can go aboard any vessel with competence in handling lines and tying all necessary knots, steering using a Mariner’s compass, standing lookout and properly reporting observations, heaving a line from ship to dock, passing a life ring to a swimmer in need, and demonstrating basic seafaring knowledge.
COST
For new Mariners (Pogeys), AMR is covered as part of the original registration fee for the season. For returning Mariners, it is paid as a separate cost in addition to dues when registering for the season.