The Long Cruise badge may be earned by both youth and adults registered in Sea Scouting. Once the individual has completed the requirements that follow, the Skipper submits a statement to the Boy Scout council service center where the badges can be secured. It is recommended that all Sea Scouts and adult officers qualifying for the Long Cruise badge maintain a log of their cruising experiences. This log will be useful for Scouting advancement, U.S. Coast Guard licensing, US Sailing certification, and chartering.
- A Sea Scout must be at least Ordinary rank before he or she can start recording cruising time for the Long Cruise Badge.
- In order to qualify for this badge, the Sea Scout must have cruised two weeks on any vessel or boat provided by the local council or ship, or their own vessel when authorized by an adult leader in that Sea Scout Ship. Each additional long cruise badge is marked by a red arc above the badge, until five such cruises have been completed. Then a single white arc replaces them above the badge.
- In the event that it is not possible to make a two week cruise, a series of weekend or overnight cruises on any boat or ship may be made, provided that the total number equals fourteen days. (Note: An overnight cruise lasts two days; a weekend cruise starting on Saturday and ending on Monday, will be counted as three days.)
- There is no requirement regarding distance and number of miles.
- The Long Cruise badge is an achievement, not a rank; therefore, an adult leader may qualify for the badge without qualifying for the Ordinary rank
Source: Sea Scout Manual (33239B), 2000
