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I do not know about SeaScouts requirements/interpretations/exceptions. I have no experience with Sea Scouts. I only know the specific wording of the Camping Merit Badge as it pertains to Scout Troops.

For requirement 9a (20 nights), the verbiage says "Each night must be spent either under the sky, in a tent you have pitched yourself (if a tent is provided and already set up, you do not need to pitch your own), in a hammock that is safely strung outdoors, in a lean-to, or other three-sided shelter with an open front. Nights spent in indoor lock-in events, cabin camping, hotel stays, or other covered accommodations do not count toward the 20 nights."  So, staying in the cabin of the sailboat does not count.  Sleeping on deck (because they are making a comfortable "ground bed" and sleeping under the stars ... sure! Requirement 9.b. (4) says, "Take a nonmotorized trip on the water of at least four hours or 5 miles.",  So, if the sailboat travels either four hours, or five miles, under sail (not motoring), then, yes, it counts.   Not sure where it says these nights count for Sea Scouts for Camping MB?  Reference, please?  Other than for the National Outdoor Awards Program?  "Complete 25 days and nights of camping—including six consecutive days (five nights) of camping (Sea Scouts may be on a boat), approved and under the auspices and standards of Scouting America—including nights camped as part of requirements 1 through 3 above. Scouts must complete six consecutive days (five nights) of the 25 nights at a Scouting America accredited resident camp."  https://www.scouting.org/programs/scouts-bsa/advancement-and-awards/noa/ [NOTE: this verbiage contradicts itself... "Sea Scouts may be on a boat" is listed before the "...under the auspices and standards of Scouting America" stipulation.  To communicate clearly, exceptions should be specifically spelled out AFTER stating the rule.] Nothing specific about this in the Guide to Advancement: https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/33088.pdf Or in articles on Aaron on Scouting: https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2015/06/24/ask-expert-isnt-camping-night-camping-mb/ https://scoutingmagazine.org/2017/12/no-glamping-allowed/ Or the Sea Scout Manual: https://seascout.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/3323925-Sea-Scout-Manual-PDF-Posted-02182025.pdf Let's take this argument to its absurd extreme.  Your unit books a cruise on a cruise ship.  The cruise ship is under power, so the trip does not count for 9b, but it would count for 9a, because you are on a boat?  No. Because there is an overwhelming number of variations on "camping" and the legalese of what constitutes camping, I look at the spirit of the thing.  And yet, it is difficult to articulate the spirit of it, as long as the "if a tent is provided and already set up, you do not need to pitch your own" clause is there... Instead of arguing the legalities of it, this is one I ultimately leave to individual Scout, and the leader signing it off.  If you and the Scout agree those nights count, then count them. My Scouts and I do not count them.  We did our sailing adventure... I asked our Scouts, and they agreed.  We only recorded nights spent on deck under the stars.  And we had buddy boats... one equipped with air conditioning that could be run while moored, and one without (only run while in a powered slip.)  Even the Scouts on the boat not air conditioned agreed their nights below deck should not count toward the requirement. Final thought... if you need to rely on nights below deck to get your 20 for Camping Merit Badge... (insert a phrase appropriate for Scouting that communicates your level of individual effort just doesn't cut it...)   Happy Trails  

I don't think this matters. If seascouts can use nights slept on water why can't other scouts? Why would there be a double standard? 

What are their sleeping accomodations at seabase? This is the most important detail.

Are your Scouts using nonmotorized means, i.e. paddling, rowing, surfing, or SAILING (emphasis)  on a trip on the water of at least four hours or 5 miles?  If yes, it counts.