Notes

• For one-way (12 mile) Anacapa swims, smaller (30-45 ft) boats out of Channel Islands Harbor or Ventura Harbor are probably the most cost-effective option. For longer swims from more outlying islands, consider the expected duration of your swim and your expected crew size, and you may want to consider a larger boat. Please contact us for more specific recommendations.

• You are not required to use one of these options, but please keep in mind it is the swimmer’s responsibility to ensure the swim is adequately supported by an appropriate vessel and qualified pilot.

• The swimmer and the escort boat owner enter into a direct agreement/contract regarding the charter hire. The SBCSA is not involved in this transaction.

• Each listed boat can be assumed to be sufficient for a basic one-way Anacapa swim (12 miles / 20 km). If you are attempting a longer swim route, please consider that some boats may not be appropriate for these swims. Please confirm with both the captain and the SBCSA that the vessel is suitable for your proposed swim attempt.

• For a boat capacity of six, that means you have room for four crew members (assuming one swimmer and one observer). For routes longer than a one-way Anacapa swim, the SBCSA assigns two observers. Please contact us for clarification.

General Considerations in Hiring an Escort Boat

• How much experience does the pilot have escorting swimmers?

  • How many successful swims has the pilot escorted?

• How much experience does the pilot have navigating in the waters you are planning to swim?

• What is the charter fee structure? Flat fee, per hour, or hybrid?

  • If per hour, does this include travel time to the start, and from the finish?

  • If your swim may exceed 12 hours (dock-to-dock), do the fees include a second captain? (See “12 Hour Rule” below.)

  • Do the fees include galley service?

• What is the refund or rescheduling policy (if any) if ocean conditions do not permit the boat to leave harbor?

  • What if the boat leaves the harbor, but upon arrival at the swim start, conditions are too dangerous for the swim to begin?

• For swims longer than a one-way Anacapa swim (12.2 miles), it is likely that your swim event will last longer than 12 hours, dock-to-dock. According to the USCG 12-hour Rule, a commercial charter captain may not work more than 12 hours in a given 24-hour period. Therefore, if a swim is anticipated to take longer than 12 hours, a second captain may be required. Additionally, a second observer should be accounted for in the planned boat capacity

• Is the pilot prepared and willing to accommodate a swim that lasts longer than anticipated?

• What is the boat’s stated capacity? Is it sufficient to accommodate the swimmer, swimmer’s crew and paddlers, and SBCSA observer(s)?

• How many beds/bunks does the boat have?

• How much space is there on the boat? Inside space vs. outside space?

  • How comfortable will your crew be? (This is a function of the size of your crew, the size of the boat, and the anticipated duration of your swim.)

• Does the boat have a swim step? If not, is there at least a swimmer-friendly ladder?

• Does the boat have a head? A shower?

• Does the boat have warm water?

• Does the boat have a galley or kitchenette for cooking meals and warming feeds?

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