Safety & Support Crew Selection

The swim's pilot boat charter will most likely have it's own crew, including captains, first mate, deck hands, and possibly a cook. In addition to this team, the swimmer must assemble a trustworthy crew to provide safety and support during the swim. Contact the MBSA if you need support finding qualified crew members.

The boat captain is in charge of the entire charter and has the ultimate say in whether or not charter leaves the harbor, if and when anyone enters the water, and if a swim must end prior to completion. Second in charge of the swim is the Official Observer. The Observer will observe and enforce the rules of the swim. For the safety of the swimmer and crew, please listen to the Official Observer at all times during a swim.

Roles & Responsibilities

Official Observers (Assigned by MBSA):
The job of the observer is to observe, document, and enforce the rules of the swim.

Crew Chief (required):
The Crew Chief is in charge of the swimmer and the swimmer's support crew. The Crew Chief should be someone who knows the swimmer well enough to evaluate how the swimmer is performing and holding up to  conditions at all times during the swim. The Official Observer may consult with the Crew Chief as to the condition of the swimmer throughout the swim.

Coach (optional):
The swimmer's Coach may also play the role of the Crew Chief.

Food Handler(s) (required):
The Coach and/or Crew Chief can also play the role of food handler. Food handlers prepare and feed the swimmer in accordance with a feeding schedule that is per-defined by the swimmer and/or coach. See tips on feeding & nutrition.

Safety Paddlers (optional, but recommended):
A swim is much more likely to be successful and much less likely to be stopped mid-swim if the swimmer has a safety paddler (or two) in the water nearby at all times. If at all possible, practice with your paddlers in various conditions, including chop, prior to the big swim.

Photography & Video (optional):
Whether this is your coach, another crew member, or a dedicated photographer, every ultra-marathon swim has some tremendous photo opportunities.


Choosing Crew Members

There are many schools of thought on crew selection, but at the very least you should consider the following:
  • Every ultra-marathon swim crew must include a Crew Chief.
  • The Crew Chief (and the entire crew) should be intimately familiar with the Rules of the swim.
  • The Crew Chief should be very familiar with the swimmer's strengths and weaknesses, capabilities, stroke count, breathing patterns, feeding preferences, moods, and ultimately what motivates the swimmer when things get tough.
  • The Crew Chief should be someone whom the swimmer completely trusts to make BIG decisions about the swim, such as last minute course corrections, launching and landing locations, changing of feeding plans (mid swim), directing crew, and ultimately if the swim must be called off prematurely for the safety of the swimmer or crew.
  • When selecting crew, consider how they will react to very adverse conditions, such as cold, wind, wet, and rocking boats. A crew is of no use to a swimmer if they are motion sick or have hypothermia.
  • Select safety paddlers who can practice this role prior to the swim. The experience or inexperience of a safety paddler can have a huge impact on the swimmers experience and the overall success of the swim.
  • Select safety paddlers who will be confident while paddling far from shore in adverse conditions at night, while giving full attention to the swimmer for shifts that may last several hours.
  • Consider how crew members will react when the swimmer is visibly suffering; and how their reactions will affect the mood of the swimmer. It has been said by some swimmers, it's best to leave your mother (and sometimes spouses) on land.
  • Children under the age of 14 can be a huge liability to the safety and success of a swim and should support the swim from land. Children under the age of 14 are not allowed as crew members.