New boat for Kauaʻi Sea Scouts arrives at Nāwiliwili Harbor

For the first time in 15 years, the Sea Scouts of Kauaʻi have a new boat with the support of the local community.

The 44-foot Sport Fisher by Pacifica recently arrived at Nāwiliwili Small Boat Harbor, with a blessing held on Aug. 29.

“It was real special to have Kumu Sabra (Kauka) bless the boat for our safety and future generations,” Guilligan mate Tom Worton said.

The new vessel will serve as a floating classroom for the Sea Scouts, a co-ed program that trains young adults in seamanship, citizenship and leadership.

The boat is called Decisive, after a U.S. Coast Guard cutter by the same name. The name also is the message the crew is trying to teach the young sailors: “To be Decisive.”

“Having a bigger boat means more stability on the water, and will increase the safety for our program,” Worton said. “It will also allow us to take more kids on the longer cruises as we serve the youth of Kaua’i for future generations.”

The new boat is known for its rugged construction and excellent seaworthiness.

It also has the necessary interior and volume for housing teenagers, a comfortable salon and galley, and twin diesel engines. While only 4 feet longer than the Sea Scout’s current boat also called Decisive, it is much roomier with a 3-foot wider beam and twice the tonnage.

The Kaua’i Sea Scouts are still raising money and have not disclosed the amount of funds raise thus far. But some of the raised funds also will help outfit the vessel so that it’s functional for all the teens.

The Sea Scouts program also is selling its old boat .

Scout Luca Des Marais from Kalaheo said the boat provides a chance to have adventures and learning opportunities that “I never would have gotten to experience if I never joined sea scouts.”

Now, with improved facilities and modern equipment, the boat is expected to elevate the overall learning experience and safety standards for scouts onboard, Worton said.

The Scouts’ training was tested once again on Labor Day weekend during their school break trip to Hanalei Bay.

While training at the bay in a dinghy, a person lost steering and power of a boat and became distressed.

The team immediately jumped into action, donning life jackets and jump into their dinghy to see if they could assist.

They promptly were able to hook up to the boat and tow it safely to its mooring. It marked the Kaua’i Sea Scouts’ fifth rescue.

Last month, a tsunami scare tested the Sea Scouts’ confidence and abilities while on a 10-day cruise.

knowing the first tsunami wave was forecast to hit Kauaʻi just after 7 p.m., the scouts pulled anchor and headed to deep waters about a mile out.

“The sirens, emergency alerts, and planes flying overhead all contributed to an eerie sense of impending catastrophe,” said the boat’s Skipper, Larry Richardson.

After the tsunami warning was downgraded to an advisory, the crew returned to anchor offshore at Polihale.

For more information about the Kauaʻi Sea Scouts or to volunteer, click here.