Who are the Sea Rover Younkers

We found the term Younkers in the book 'A Sea Grammar' by Captain John Smith and published in 1627 which states'...The sailers are the ancient men, for hoisting the sailes, getting the tacks aboord, haling the bowling, and stearing the ship. The Younkers are the young men called the 'Fore-mast-men' to take in the top-sailes, or top and yard, for furling the sailes or slinging the yards, housing or trising, and take their turns at helme...'.

Wanting to distinguish between Sea Rovers under 13 years and those over that age it was decided that:

• Younkers shall be used to describe members aged between 8 and 12; and
• Oldsters shall be used to describe members aged between 13 and 18

Flotillas

Sea Rovers operate in small groups of boats. Each group within the association is termed a flotilla which the younkers and oldsters run with assistance and guidance from suitably qualified and experienced Instructors.

Training

If you imagine a large ship with lifeboats all around it the training given to the flotilla boats crews is the same as that which would be given to the ship's boats crews. In charge of each boat is a Cony or Coxswain. Taking care of everything forward is the bow hand who also acts as lookout and signalman.

A person in charge of a motor is a boat stoker. If the boat is large enough a stern sheet hand, who is the least experienced person in the boat, may also be carried.

Before however being allowed in the boats at all each member must satisfactorily achieve boat crew rating. This involves passing a basic knowledge test and satisfactorily completing some practical exercises including rope work.

Operations

Our base always has to be manned to allow somewhere for members to receive instruction as well as providing any boats afloat with communications and other service facilities for maintenance and repairs etc.

Flotillas are divided into watches who take turns at manning the base and getting afloat in the boats.

Whilst learning the ropes younkers will be involved in the following programmes:

• Boatsweepers clean out boats and undertake minor repairs
• Comstat or communications base station operation trains participants in radio communication procedures.
• Galley crew prepare the meals for all those attending
• Metstat or meteorological (weather) station operation involves participants in weather observation and forecasting.
• Obstat or observation hide (lookout) involves exercising the disciplines of observation, self control and teamwork.
• Sickbay involves learning first aid while being the first aider on duty
• Sigstat or signal station operation incorporates flag etiquette, flag signals, coded signals and weather signals.

After attaining rating as boat crew, younkers may then participate in the following exercises:

• Cruiseabout exercises afloat conducted by a flotilla, squadron or watch, involving cruising the local waterways in power vessels.
• Fishabout excursions change location during the exercise and are intended to allow participants to seek out their quarry.
• Lookabout exercises develop observation awareness, the purpose of which is to encourage members to become aware of what is happening around them.
• Navspy exercises involve hiding in mangroves or posing as fishermen while spying on participants in predicted log events and require teamwork, co-ordination, observation and self control.
• Sailabout exercises afloat conducted by a flotilla, squadron or watch, involving cruising under sail.
• Seawatchers programme which offers training in all aspects of amateur and maritime radio communications.

After reaching the age of 13 and attaining rating as boat crew high-spirited oldsters may elect to participate in one of the oldster adventure programs.

Visitors and Joining

Visitors are always welcome.

You may come as many times as you want without having to join, but you must come at least seven times before being able to join. Then you will need to find current members to propose and second you for membership.

This makes sure you really want to join and will get on well with the other members.

We hope we will see YOU soon!

If you don't live near an established flotilla and think you would like to be a Sea Rover there are two things you can do: You can join 'Seagull' flotilla and participate in the online activities of Sea Rovers, or You can help us find a suitably qualified person (adult) who would be interested in establishing a flotilla in your area.