Our Charter
Sea Scouts is a uniformed, co-ed Venture/Explorer crew organized through Boy Scouts of America, open to young men and women ages 14 though 21. Sea Scout Ship 11, the SSS-Spartan, was originally chartered in 2001, to serve the Antelope Valley District cities of Palmdale and Lancaster, and the surrounding unincorporated communities.

Goals and Objectives
Some crew members join for the experience, camaraderie and fun. Other members are preparing for careers in the service or at sea, or for higher education in the marine sciences. In either case, the training and experience will benefit them all.

For those that choose to, their rank advancement can make them eligible for advanced enlistment pay in the service, or qualify for preferred admissions to a Maritime Academy. Crew Alumni include graduates from Cal-Maritime working at sea for major cruise and transportation lines, and serving in the armed forces of the US Navy and Marine Corps.

Program and Training
The goal of Sea Scouts is to develop ethics, teamwork and leadership skills in young adults in a nautical environment. What better way to have fun at the same time! We accomplish this through a program of organized meetings and training sessions, field trips and outings, and participation in regional, national, and international competitive events, or regattas.

Routine training focuses on developing skills necessary for the safe operation of our vessels. Certification as a Small Boat Handler and as Qualified Seaman earns the member the right to wear that bar on their uniforms. Other program sources include the US Coast Guard, the Fire Department, California Department of Boating and Waterways, yacht clubs, and other qualified resources.

Training topics include Rules of The Road, Compass and Navigation, Firefighting and Damage Control, Ground Tackle and Anchoring, Aids to Navigation, Radio and other Communications, First Aid, Knots and Marlinspike skills, and others.

Crew members join as Seaman Recuits, and advance through the ranks of Apprentice, Ordinary, and Able Seaman through program of self paced study, with guidance from the Ship's Officers, Advisors, and Petty Officers. A select few will achieve the distinguished rank of Quartermaster, Sea Scouts highest honor.

Specialized advanced leadership skills programs are available to those members that have acheived the rank of Ordinary Seaman, and upon application and recommendation of the Skipper.

Crew members compete in local regattas, and twice each year travel to compete in the international competitions, the Ancient Mariner Regatta and the Southwestern Rendezvous. For more info and photos, check out our Albums.

Our Fleet
The Ship's fleet consists of several trailerable power and sail boats, as well as our flagship, the Skipper's personal sailboat, a 27' Catalina, docked at King Harbor Marina, in Redondo Beach. Our operational powerboats include an 18' Voyager Pontoon, an 18"Seafair Sedan outboard, and a 22' Starcraft I/O runabout. Our operational sailboat fleet consists of a 12' and14' Holder (a Capri and Lido look alike), 18' Windrose, and a 22' Hunter. Click here for photos of our fleet.

Petty Officers and Crew
The Ship's crew elects their leadership, the Petty Officers, from within their ranks. The Chief Petty Officer is the Ship's Boatswain (Bosun, the President) S/A Taylor Kramer; followed by the Boatsain's Mates of Admin and Program (Bosun's Mate, the Vice President), S/R Hope Gorman and S/A Matt Gorman; the Yoeman (Secretary) S/R James Lombardi, and Purser (Treasurer) S/R Dakota Upham-Boyd; and Storekeeper (Equipment and Supply Officer) Amanda Gorman. S/R Niel McCullough is our Engineering Specialist.

As the Ship's membership grows, Crew Leaders and Assistant Crew Leaders will be appointed as necessary. In addition, those seeking technical or specialized areas of interest, i.e. engineering, etc, can be appointed to Specialist positions.

Ship's Officers
The Ship's Officers (adult leadership and advisors) consist of the Skipper and his Mates. Our Skipper is Steve Hofbauer, overall in charge of training and crew advancement.

Greg Kramer, Shiela Handley, Chris Wall and Chris Hofbauer are the Ship's Mates, assisiting the Skipper with crew training and operation. Mr. Alan McCollough is our Chief Engineer.

Our Ship's Committee, supporting ongoing operations, consists of Mr and Mrs. Gorman, Mrs. McCoullough (Uniforms), Mrs. Shultz, Mrs. Kramer (Admin) and Mrs. Hofbauer (Charter Rep).

Captain Chuck Hoey is our Sailing Advisor and former Ship 11 Founding Skipper.

Click here to meet the Ship's Officers.

Meeting Schedule
From Labor Day in September through Memorial Day at the end of May, our Ship's meetings are held on Thursdays at 7pm to 9pm at the Methodist Church on Ave J at 10th St West across from the DoublZ restaurant in Lancaster. These focus on rank advancement, and specialized training or drills.

Summer schedule can vary, based on outings, fundraisers, cruises, and excursions. Check the calendar or call ahead!

Monthly Outings
Normally, one outing is scheduled each month. During the summer, and as needed during the year, we may meet at our Boat Yard in Quartz Hill. The use of this large lot is donated in exchange for lot maintenance and weed abatement. It works quite well, as the boats are available for vessel maintenance and drills.

Finance and Support
A Recruit's initiation is about $100 to cover uniforms, manual, and registration. This may be offset by donations or scholarships. Other gear and travel fees may occaisionally be required. Dues are collected by the crew at $10/month.

Ship 11 is sponsored by Sea Scout Ship 11 Committee, Inc., a state and federally qualified 501 C-3 non-profit organization. Our non-profit status allows us to accept tax deductible donations of cash, equipment, and vessels to offset the operational expenses and equip the unit. Click here for info on how to support our program.

Recruit Info
For additional information, click here.
Read the AV Press Story about us.