Motorboating Merit Badge

Overview

The Motorboating Merit Badge is a fun merit badge for Scouts interested in Sea Scouts. The Motorboating Merit Badge allows Scouts to learn about different types of motorboats and motors, so they can safely navigate the open waters. Scouts will get hands-on experience driving and handling a motorboat while learning about the various types of personal floatation devices and explaining the rules and laws that apply to recreational boating in their communities.

Requirements

(1) Do the following:
- (a) Discuss with your counselor the following hazards you might encounter while motorboating: flammable fuel; carbon monoxide; propellers; collisions; falls overboard; capsize; or running aground. Explain what you should do to anticipate, prevent, mitigate and respond to these hazards.
  
  Resources: Running Aground Prevention and Response (video), Towsport Tips #4 Carbon Monoxide (video), Collision Avoidance Rules (video), Preventing a Capsizing / Fall Overboard (video)
- (b) Explain first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while motorboating, including hypothermia, heat reactions, dehydration, motion sickness, bug bites, blisters.
  
  Resources: Cold Water Shock—How to Deal With Cold Water Shock (video), What Happens If You Don’t Drink Enough Water? Signs of Dehydration + 4 Ways to Keep Hydrated (video), Mayo Clinic Minute—Dangers of Heat-Related Illnesses (video), How To Prevent and Treat Blisters (website)
- (c) Discuss the Scouting America Safety Afloat policy. Tell how it applies to motorboating activities.
  
  Resources: Safety Afloat (website)
(2) Do the following:
- (a) Before doing requirement 5, successfully complete the Scouting America swimmer test.Note: See the Swimming merit badge pamphlet for details about the Scouting America swimmer test.
  
  Resources: Swimming Merit Badge pamphlet (PDF)
- (b) Name the different types of personal flotation devices (PFDs), and explain when each type should be used. Show how to choose and properly fit a PFD.
  
  Resources: How To Choose the Right Life Jacket (video)
(3) Do the following:
- (a) Explain inboard, outboard, and inboard/outboard motors, and the uses and advantages of each.
  
  Resources: Whats the Difference Between Inboard, Outboard & Sterndrive Boat Engines? (video), Engine Types (video)
- (b) Explain the safety procedures and precautions involving handling fuel and engine servicing, and equipment storage and placement.
  
  Resources: Fueling Procedures (video), Engine Servicing (website)
- (c) Explain how to winterize a boat motor and tell why this procedure is necessary.
  
  Resources: Winterize Your Boat Like a Pro in 7 Steps (video)
- (d) Explain the safety procedures and precautions involving swimmers and skiers in the water, passenger positions underway, and boat wakes.
  
  Resources: Boat Wakes (video)
(4) Show you know safety guidelines for motorboating by doing the following:
- (a) Review how each item of the Scouting America Safety Afloat policy applies, including checking the weather prior to and during time on the water, confirming all required equipment is present and functional, and following a float plan.
- (b) Explain the rules or laws that apply to recreational boating in your area or state. Have a permit to operate a motorboat, if required by the laws of your state. Discuss how you would find information regarding the boating laws in different states.
  
  Resources: Boating Rules and Regulations by State (website)
- (c) Discuss how hazards of weather and heavy water conditions can affect safety and performance in motorboating.
  
  Resources: Foul Weather Boating (video), Coping With Foul Weather (video), Operation in Restricted Visibility (video)
- (d) Promise that you will follow Scouting America Safety Afloat guidelines. Explain the meaning of each point.
- (e) Explain and show the correct use of equipment required by both state and federal regulations to be carried aboard a motorboat.
  
  Resources: Coast Guard Requirements: What Items You Must Have in Your Boat (ID, Tools, etc) (video)
- (f) Explain federal and state rules for a ventilation system, and tell why these rules are required.
  
  Resources: Ventilation Systems (video)
- (g) Explain the use of lights (sight signals) and sound signals on motorboats.
  
  Resources: Navigation Light Equipment (video)
- (h) Discuss the common types of anchors used in motorboating and under what conditions each would be preferred. Explain proper anchoring techniques.
  
  Resources: Anchoring (video), Anchoring Tips (video), Anchoring a Boat | Basics of Boating (video)
(5) With your counselor or other adults on board, demonstrate proper boat-handling procedures and skills by doing the following:
- (a) Board and assist others in boarding. Confirm that all passengers on board are wearing properly fitted life jackets.
  
  Resources: Boating Equipment—Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) (video), Life Jacket Safety Essentials | Discover Boating (video)
- (b) Fuel the boat and complete a safety check.
  
  Resources: Quick Tip: Pre-Boating Inspection & Safety Checklist (video)
- (c) If equipped, attach the engine cut-off switch link and safely start the motor. Get underway from dockside or from a beach launch.
  
  Resources: Launching a Boat (video)
- (d) Run a course for at least a mile, showing procedures for overtaking and passing slower vessels, yielding right-of-way, passing oncoming traffic, making turns, reversing direction, and using navigation aids.
  
  Resources: What Every Boater Needs To Know About Boating Rules/Safety (video)
- (e) Stop and secure the boat in position on the open water using anchors. Raise and stow the anchor and get underway.
- (f) Land or dock the boat, disembark, and assist others in doing the same.
  
  Resources: Retrieving a Boat (video)
- (g) Moor, dock, or beach the boat and secure all gear.
  
  Resources: How To Tie a Boat to a Dock (video), Beaching Your Boat (website)
- (h) Demonstrate knots used in boating: cleating hitch, bowline, clove hitch, anchor bend, sheet bend.
  
  Resources: 10 Knots You Need for Sailing (video), How To Tie the Anchor Bend Knot | Boating Knots (video)

Resources

Note: This is an unofficial archive of Scouts BSA Merit Badges that was automatically extracted from the Scouting America website and may contain errors.