Sea Scout Programme
In 1934, Mr. Frank Edward Anson Blackwood Sewell started Sea Scouting in Singapore with the formation of the First Singapore Sea Scout Troop, an ‘open’ troop that welcomed boys from all schools. As Scoutmaster, Mr. Sewell brought to Singapore Scouting a youth programme emphasizing boating and water-based activities. Naturally, naval and nautical traditions incorporated by Sea Scouting in the United Kingdom, which started in 1909, were also adopted in Singapore (then part of the Straits Settlements, a Crown colony of the British Empire). Sea Scouts of the First Singapore Sea Scout Troop enjoyed a myriad of activities with a strong maritime bias, and even had their own training ship, the SS Lumut
As Singapore was established as an important trading port and major city since our colonial era, Sea Scouting has remained relevant and vibrant through the years, supporting the physical, mental and spiritual development of our youth. In tandem with the general Scout programme, Sea Scouting in Singapore is now a branch of the Singapore Scout Association offering a co-ed youth programme with a system of Progress Badges and Proficiency Badges with considerable emphasis on water activities. 80 years on, Sea Scout training in Singapore continues to develop youths as confident adventurers on the water as they are on land, by teaching them nautical skills and seamanship on a variety of craft.
