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The 29th Annual St. Vincent's SWIM Across the Sound Marathon will take place Saturday, July 30 beginning in Port Jefferson, N.Y. and ending at Captain's Cove, Bridgeport.
"While it's the fearless swimmers who spend months training and fundraising for this event, the success of the SWIM Marathon also depends upon the generosity of local boat captains to escort the swimmers and ensure their safety," said Dianne Auger, president, St. Vincent's Medical Center Foundation, which sponsors the SWIM Across the Sound. "It's truly an incredible sight to see all these boats and their crews watching over, guiding, and protecting the swimmers."
Approximately 100 boats -- all staffed by volunteers -- will serve either as escort boats, guide, medic, media, and special committee boats. Escort boats will be paired with a two-person relay team or a solo swimmer and will be responsible for their safety, as well as the safety of the crew on board. Guide boats will maintain the perimeter of the course and act as a protective shield around the swimmers.
Power and sail boats of at least 22 feet are needed as escorts. Boats 18 feet and larger may serve as guides and safety back-up.
In 2015, swimmers raised close to $300,000 during the SWIM Across the Sound, which provides 45 programs for cancer screening, education and support, as well as providing financial assistance to cancer patients and their families in need.
To volunteer as a boat captain, visit SwimAcrossTheSound.org.
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