To gain this badge the Explorer Scout must complete the following requirements.

1) Swim 50 metres and stay afloat for five minutes.

2) Explain the safety rules that apply to boating, and the effects of winds, tide and current.

3) Explain the difference between a buoyancy aid and a life jacket. Adjust one to fit and wear it to enter the water from a height of one metre.

4) Row a dinghy single-handed and carry out basic manoeuvres.

5) Have some knowledge of rescue by boat or canoe and be able to carry out a simple rescue exercise.

6) Heave a lifeline six metres from a boat to land within reach of a target once from two attempts.

7) Know the steering and sailing rules and apply these to the craft being used.

8) Have a knowledge of pilotage, navigation lights, sound signals, tides, currents and eddies appropriate to your local waters.

9) Know how to get local weather forecasts, understand their importance and be able to recognise signs of changing weather.

10) Take part in an expedition by water lasting at least 24 hours.

11) Choose one of the following four activities:

a) Gain the Pulling Coxswain Award.

b) Take charge of a pulling boat and carry out a range of manouevres including getting underway, man overboard, picking up a buoy, anchoring and coming alongside. Show a working knowledge of the pulling orders and be able to demonstrate them to less experienced members of the crew.

c) Gain the RYA level 2 Dinghy Sailing Award.

d) Take charge of two other people in a sailing boat and demonstrate crew management and a range of sailing skills underway. These should include launching and recovery, getting underway, coming alongside, tacking and gibing, man overboard, picking up a buoy, anchoring and capsize recovery.

e) Achieve an authorisation to undertake water activities using form W.

12) Complete:

a) One further item from the Practical Skills section.

b) Two further items from the Safety section.

c) A further three items from the remaining five sections.

13) They should not use more than one item from each section.

14) Keep a log of the water activities underetaken.