One Eurosea – Two Countries

Every 3 years since 1985 European Sea Scout leaders and invited observers from around the Globe meet up at what is called Euroseas. The aims and objectives of the seminar, to enable National Associations to share ideas and experiences on how to develop Sea Scouting/Guiding or water-based programs in general in their own countries.

De Boekaniers Sea Scouts den,venue of Eurosea 12.

 

Now taking place every two years, the host country Belgium, welcomed us all. Organised by joint hosts from the two Flemish Scout Associations “FOS Open Scouting” and Scouts en Gidsen Vlaanderen” the seminar began on Wednesday 10^th September. The venue chosen was   De Boekaniers Sea Scouts, Nautical Youth Centre, near Brugge .The waterfront venue alongside the Boudewijn canal a major link through Brugge, Ghent and linking further inland to the major navigation of the Rhine River. Scouts from this group took part last year in the International European Sea Scout Regatta hosted by Malahide Sea Scouts  on Broadmeadow Estuary .

This year’s seminar of 40 participants was made up from 13 European countries and included independent observers from New Zealand. The official opening was performed by Mr. Yves Goossens CEO of DAB Vloot a pilot service to the Port of Antwerp and a supporter of Sea Scouting. The Seminar welcomed Mr. David McKee Regional Director to the European Scout Organisation who spoke about the drive to increase membership of all scouting throughout the World.

The seminar was both practical and workshop based ,which included learning practical skills, taking on external challenges including embracing diversity in our communities , gathering and building  our  resource material for use by all  ,the Euronaut newsletter ,safety on the water ,and the ‘B2 sailing ketch’ building project  .

National Sea Scout teams are given the opportunity to prepare and present workshop modules on best practices in their Associations. Our contingent of Alex Kelly, Fionn Delahunty and Kevin Rowan had prepared our best practices from Sea Scouting in Ireland and activity contributed and fully participated in all sessions.

Eurosea 12 participants , from 13 countries

Always a popular training workshop is the day afloat which is carried out over a full day. The day’s passage took us from Belgian waters into the waters of the Netherlands with a short stop over on an island sand bank.

Participants are split into crews and allocated a boat which was taken out of Terneuzen harbour, onto the River Schelde.  One of the world’s busiest shipping channels, ships of up to 100,000 tons pass by serving the International European Port of Antwerp. Each crew member works as a team and has the opportunity to crew, helm and learn about navigating in a very busy shipping lane off the North Sea. A popular exercise as all participants get the opportunity to work as a team, exchange ideas, and pass on their own personal aspirations about their organisations and their scouting journey.

All boats carry a hand held VHF radio as constant communication must be maintained at all times with the Port Control.

Before the end of the weekend programme, the seminar conducted its final business on Saturday afternoon by electing the new leading crewmen to the Odysseus group. They are Werner Strobel (from Austria), Nuno Bapista (from Portugal), Ernst-Jan Jacobsen (from Nederland), Jakub Mazunnkiewiez (from Poland), Satu Raudasoja (from Finland), and Kris Bauters (from Belgie). The meeting congratulated all the above who were elected.

The seminar concluded on the Sunday with a decision to hold the next Eurosea , 13 in Perkos (near Olstyn, Poland) in September 2016 .The site chosen was used back in 2000 to host Eurosea 7. Although inland, but a lakeshore site, part of the seminar will be held on the Polish Sea Scout training ship “Zawisza Czarny ”in the Port of Gdansk.

 K.Rowen

Brugge

September 2014