Sea - A definition

Sea

Assessment

Assessment for Sea Awards is to be conducted at sea (outside of estuaries, embayments or other sheltering reefs or islands)

The Sea Guide is the minimum recommended standard for leading novice groups at sea (as defined below)

An area should be classified as sea if any of the following apply:

• The area requires surf (of any size) entry or exit on an average day
• If the area is in the entrance structure to an estuary or embayment
• An area of swell
• Documented tidal rips (see chart)
• Documented tidal current greater than 1 knot (see chart)
• Any area where the tide (rise or fall) removes a landing area/ makes it unsuitable
• Distances greater than 400 metres from shore
• Fetch greater than 8 nautical miles.

The transition from sea to inland water will often occur in the area of the following features

• Major river bend
• Barrier sand bar structure
• Constriction in river