The Deep Sea Scouts (DSS) is a

National Scout Active Support Unit Scout Active Support is a section of The Scout Association in the United Kingdom that provides support to delivering the youth programme of the Scouts. This support is carried out by Scout Active Support Units, which can be based at every level of ...

The Scout Association The Scout Association is the largest Scouting organisation in the United Kingdom and is the World Organization of the Scout Movement's recognised member for the United Kingdom. Following the origin of Scouting in 1907, the association was for ...

with the aim of connecting Scouting to the sea. It was originally formed in 1928 as an organisation enabling young people serving on British ships to participate in

Scouting Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement employing the Scout method, a program of informal education with an emphasis on practical outdoor activities, including camping, woodcraft, aquatics, hiking, backpacking ...

activities. As Scouting matured in the early 20th century, along with its initial members, demands were made for additions to the organisation which would enable a continuing participation within the

Scout Movement Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement employing the Scout method, a program of informal education with an emphasis on practical outdoor activities, including camping, woodcraft, aquatics, hiking, backpacking ...

, and the Deep Sea Scouts were one such addition. The decline in British shipping numbers, both naval and merchant, in the late 20th century was reflected in a reduction in DSS membership. Following a review, the DSS became a National Scout Fellowship in 1991 and was known as the Deep Sea Scout Fellowship. A subsequent national review of Scout Fellowships resulted in the creation of

Scout Active Support Scout Active Support is a section of The Scout Association in the United Kingdom that provides support to delivering the youth programme of the Scouts. This support is carried out by Scout Active Support Units, which can be based at every level of ...

, and the DSS was renamed back to Deep Sea Scouts in 2010.

Original aims and purpose

Baden-Powell Lieutenant-General Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell, ( ; (Commonly pronounced by others as ) 22 February 1857 – 8 January 1941) was a British Army officer, writer, founder and first Chief Scout of the worl ...

, the founder of Scouting, noted in a letter to the fledgling group, "''Damn rules! I want a jolly brotherhood through which I can get in touch with pals of my own or other ships or at ports of call — especially those pals who have the same Scouty ideas as I have ...''". This was the purpose of the Deep Sea Scouts. The original aims of the Deep Sea Scouts were: * To enable Scouts afloat to get in touch with their brother/sister Scouts in ports throughout the world. * To afford them the opportunity for continuing their Scouting activities in their sea-going profession. * To provide an opportunity to hike and camp as Scouts, when on leave at home or abroad. * To be of service to all, as the opportunity offers, particularly by instructing Cubs or Scouts, when in ports of call.

Original eligibility for membership

Any member of

was eligible for membership of the Deep Sea Scouts if they were serving in any of the following organisations: *

Royal Navy The Royal Navy (RN) is the United Kingdom's naval warfare force. Although warships were used by English and Scottish kings from the early medieval period, the first major maritime engagements were fought in the Hundred Years' War against F ...

and

Royal Naval Reserve The Royal Naval Reserve (RNR) is one of the two volunteer reserve forces of the Royal Navy in the United Kingdom. Together with the Royal Marines Reserve, they form the Maritime Reserve. The present RNR was formed by merging the original Ro ...

* Merchant Navy *

Royal Marines The Corps of Royal Marines (RM), also known as the Royal Marines Commandos, are the UK's special operations capable commando force, amphibious light infantry and also one of the five fighting arms of the Royal Navy. The Corps of Royal Marine ...

Royal National Lifeboat Institution The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is the largest charity that saves lives at sea around the coasts of the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man, as well as on some inland waterways. It i ...

* Deep Sea Fishermen * Deep Sea Rigs * Deep Sea Yacht Crews * Sail Training Ships

Fellowship

Due to the decrease in shipping and the reductions in the Royal Navy, the numbers of Deep Sea Scouts fell quite dramatically, and it was decided that the organisation should become a Scout Fellowship. The Deep Sea Scout Fellowship (DSSF) was officially formed on 5 April 1991. The DSSF maintained the same aims and entry requirements of its predecessor, but also allowed direct relatives of eligible members to join as long as they were active within the Scout Association.

National Scout Active Support Unit

Following a review of all Scout Fellowships in the UK, the DSSF became a National

Unit with the aim of providing active support to the delivery of the programme for the youth sections of

, whilst maintaining its international links and adult community activities worldwide.

Notes

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References