1. Instructors: George Crowl
ORD-12
Ordinary
Environment
This and other plans are for Sea Scout and leaders to teach maritime and leadership skills. They are based on the 2016 Sea Scout Manual and requirements. Some lessons have an accompanying PowerPoint presentation. I consider PowerPoint an introduction the topic, to be followed by hands-on practice. Several lessons will not have PowerPoint, usually because it is my judgement that PowerPoint is not an appropriate aid to teaching that lesson. Lesson plans and presentations will be added and modified when ready.
Each plan and presentation has the rank, requirement number and short name. LP means lesson plan, PPT means PowerPoint. APP means Apprentice, the number is the number of the requirement. ORD = Ordinary. ABL = Able. QM = Quartermaster. There are a few miscellaneous items as well.
I created these lesson plans primarily for the Houston area Sea Scout Academy. However, I hope that they are also useful for other Sea Scout situations and venues. So, I expect everyone using the lesson plans to modify them to fit their audience and their style. There are also other resources in the DVD with the Sea Scout Manual, and on
I invite comments from those that use these lesson plans, so we can have continuous improvement. If you are aware of a better example, or a great illustration that is not in them, please send them to me for inclusion. Especially, if I miss applying a change from the Sea Scout Manual, Guide to Safe Scouting, or a Coast Guard publication, please contact me so we can keep these current and accurate.
You may contact me at or George Crowl; Skipper, Ship 1996; Sam Houston Area Council
This PowerPoint is provided for those who may not have appropriate training aids available in a ship or location. This generally follows a companion lesson plan available at I expect you to modify it to fit your situation and teaching style. I am more concerned that Scouts learn than this fit a specific style. I am, however, a fan of the Effective Teaching model. Teaching EDGE is somewhat simplistic in its approach, but that has some advantages.
Philosophy: Sea Scout Academy’s primary purpose is to teach the material to the Sea Scout. If the Sea Scout demonstrates mastery of parts of the subject, then the instructor should annotate on the class roster what has been passed, in the instructor’s opinion. Skippers have the right to re-examine any Sea Scout in any requirement. (Knots are not a good subject to give a pass in.)
Instructors: George Crowl

2. Course Outline
a. Discuss with an adult leader the Federal Water Pollution Control Act as related to oil discharges. Explain what a “Discharge of Oil Prohibited” placard is and, if applicable, find it aboard your ship's vessels.
b. Explain what aquatic nuisance species are and how you can help stop their spread.
Requirements:
12. Environment
a. Discuss with an adult leader the Federal Water Pollution Control Act as related to oil discharges. Explain what a “Discharge of Oil Prohibited” placard is and, if applicable, find it aboard your ship’s vessels.
b. Explain what aquatic nuisance species are and how you can help stop their spread.
References: SSM pp , “Water Pollution”
Equipment Required: A vessel over 26' with a “Pollution Placard.” If the ship has no vessels that large, they may show photographs of the plackard and discuss likely locations. When possible, all Scouts in those ships should be given a tour of a properly equipped vessel.
Ratio: 1:12 Instructor:Student, youth make good assistants.

3. ORD-12a
a. Discuss with an adult leader the Federal Water Pollution Control Act as related to oil discharges. Explain what a “Discharge of Oil Prohibited” placard is and, if applicable, find it aboard your ship's vessels. R

4. Federal Water Pollution
Control Act
Master of any vessel or shore facility must report
Any discharge of oil that causes a sheen
Any waters of the United States
USCG at or nearest USCG facility
No dispersant to be applied to sheen
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act requires that the master of any vessel or shore facility that discharges enough oil on the water to cause a sheen must report the discharge to the USCG at or to the nearest USCG facility. A vessel may not add a dispersant or emulsifier to oil to be discharged to prevent the sheen.
Essentially, this applies to all waters of the United States.
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act requires that the master of any vessel or shore facility that discharges enough oil on the water to cause a sheen must report the discharge to the USCG at or to the nearest USCG facility. A vessel may not add a dispersant or emulsifier to oil to be discharged to prevent the sheen.
Essentially, this applies to all waters of the United States.
Criminal negligence or knowing violation of the Act has a $2500 minimum fine and it can go much higher. The discharging operator is also responsible for all cleanup costs. Think BP!

5. Fine$ Criminal negligence or knowing violation $2500 minimum, and up
Responsible for all cleanup costs
Think BP!
Criminal negligence or knowing violation of the Act has a $2500 minimum fine and it can go much higher. The discharging operator is also responsible for all cleanup costs. Think BP!
Criminal negligence or knowing violation of the Act has a $2500 minimum fine and it can go much higher. The discharging operator is also responsible for all cleanup costs. Think BP!

6. Discharge of Oil Placard
Must have one on every boat 26' and over
In machinery space, or at bilge station
The “Discharge of Oil Prohibited” placard must be at least 5" x 8" and fixed in a conspicuous place in each machinery space, or at the bilge and ballast pump control station. In other words, near the motor. This placard is a reminder of the information above.
The “Discharge of Oil Prohibited” placard must be at least 5" x 8" and fixed in a conspicuous place in each machinery space, or at the bilge and ballast pump control station. In other words, near the motor. This placard is a reminder of the information above.
Show the Scouts the location in at least one vessel, more if possible. Point out that the location is not standardized between vessels. If the ship has no vessels over 26', leaders should seek out vessels that can be used as examples. If they cannot find them, Google the placard on the internet, reproduce it, and teach to that training aid. (P. 229)

7. Where on Your Boats? Where is the placard on your ship's boats?
Show the Scouts the location in at least one vessel, more if possible. Point out that the location is not standardized between vessels. If the ship has no vessels over 26', leaders should seek out vessels that can be used as examples. If they cannot find them, Google the placard on the internet, reproduce it, and teach to that training aid.

8. ORD-12b
b. Explain what aquatic nuisance species are and how you can help stop their spread. T

9. Definition Aquatic and terrestrial organisms
Introduced into new habitats
Produce harmful impacts on aquatic natural resources
AND on human use of those resources
In simple terms, Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) are aquatic and terrestrial organisms, introduced into new habitats throughout the United States and other areas of the world, that produce harmful impacts on aquatic natural resources in these ecosystems and on the human use of these resources.
Ballast water discharged from ships is one of the largest pathways for the introduction and spread of aquatic nuisance species. In response to national concern regarding ANS, the National Invasive Species Act of 1996 (NISA) was enacted. NISA required the Coast Guard to establish national ballast water management guidelines.
All watercraft are potential vectors for spreading aquatic nuisance species. Many kinds of aquatic pests, including both plants and animals, are easily carried to new habitat by trailered boats. Thus, voluntary boat and trailer inspections, particularly by boaters themselves, are an essential part of preventing the inadvertent transfer of nuisance species from one water body to the next. It is critical that all water from one lake or river system be emptied there and not carried to another lake or river. The following are simple preventive procedures to prevent aquatic hitchhikers:
Remove any visible mud, plants, fish or animals before transporting equipment
Eliminate water from equipment before transporting
Clean and dry anything that contacted water (boats, trailers, equipment, clothing, dogs, etc.)
Never release plants, fish or animals into a body of water unless they came out of that body of water.
In simple terms, Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) are aquatic and terrestrial organisms, introduced into new habitats throughout the United States and other areas of the world, that produce harmful impacts on aquatic natural resources in these ecosystems and on the human use of these resources. (Pp )

10. Examples
Zebra mussels – small bivalves that attach to rock and metal. Clog pipes and attach to boats. Carried by boaters from lake to lake.
Eurasian water milfoil – nuisance plant that grows to surface and spreads, blocking sunlight to remaining plants / animals below
Nutria – beaver-like animals damage wetland roots and raid crops A

11. Causes
Ballast water from commercial ships has been an issue, and must be guarded against
Recreational boats moving from lake to lake, carrying Zebra mussels and other organisms
People being careless in transporting organisms between bodies of water A
Ballast water discharged from ships is one of the largest pathways for the introduction and spread of aquatic nuisance species. In response to national concern regarding ANS, the National Invasive Species Act of 1996 (NISA) was enacted. NISA required the Coast Guard to establish national ballast water management guidelines.

12. Actions
Don't allow water from one lake to be transported to another lake
Remove visible mud, plants, fish, animals
Empty all water from recre- ational boats, let dry for days
Wash boats with pressure washer and hot water
Clean & dry gear, clothing, dogs, etc
Do not release anything that came out of another body of water A
All watercraft are potential vectors for spreading aquatic nuisance species. Many kinds of aquatic pests, including both plants and animals, are easily carried to new habitat by trailered boats. Thus, voluntary boat and trailer inspections, particularly by boaters themselves, are an essential part of preventing the inadvertent transfer of nuisance species from one water body to the next. It is critical that all water from one lake or river system be emptied there and not carried to another lake or river. The following are simple preventive procedures to prevent aquatic hitchhikers:
Remove any visible mud, plants, fish or animals before transporting equipment
Eliminate water from equipment before transporting
Clean and dry anything that contacted water (boats, trailers, equipment, clothing, dogs, etc.)
Never release plants, fish or animals into a body of water unless they came out of that body of water

13. Questions? R