Planning/Permitting a solo event

Sara_WolfSara_Wolf Member
in General Discussion

After my recent swim in Mobile Bay, my friend and I were speculating about whether or not it would be possible to "swim to Mobile" (visible across the bay from our starting point). Based on a quick Google Map measurement, it's approximately 12 miles from our starting point to Mobile.

It's approximately 20 miles all the way down to Dauphin Island, near the mouth of the bay.

So, now I'm thinking about the possibility of planning a solo event of some sort in Mobile Bay.

I am positive that there will need to be coordination with the Coast Guard (I think?) and other official agencies.

Beyond the logistical aspects of escort vessels and support crew..... what / who would I need to contact to find out about getting such an event approved?

Is it as "simple" as finding a Coast Guard contact number and starting there, in the hopes that eventually I"ll get to the proper person?

miklcctLakeBagger

Comments

  • Copelj26Copelj26 ChicagoSenior Member

    @Sara_Wolf I had some experience of this when attempting to organize some Chicago based swims. There is a coast guard form that can be filled out for a special activity event approval. They will eventually call you as it gets close to event date and then they issue a marine notice to other vessels too. The form to them includes safety plan info etc. In addition in Chicago there is some overlap on other groups responsible for water way with me having conversations with both the Police marine unit and the fire brigade air and water rescue. The biggest challenge I had was identifying the right people to talk to and it took some time. However, that now gives us a clear contact plan for future here.

  • Sara_WolfSara_Wolf Member

    @Copelj26 said:
    @Sara_Wolf I had some experience of this when attempting to organize some Chicago based swims. There is a coast guard form that can be filled out for a special activity event approval. They will eventually call you as it gets close to event date and then they issue a marine notice to other vessels too. The form to them includes safety plan info etc. In addition in Chicago there is some overlap on other groups responsible for water way with me having conversations with both the Police marine unit and the fire brigade air and water rescue. The biggest challenge I had was identifying the right people to talk to and it took some time. However, that now gives us a clear contact plan for future here.

    I think I remember you posting about that awhile back!
    Thanks.....
    I did manage to get someone on the phone just now, poor guy didn't know who to contact, but took my info and said he'd call around then get back to me. He asked... "So, this is a group swim? ...... it's not just you is it?"
    :)
    Me: Yes, just me.............. and an escort of course.
    Him: "You've got more motivation than I do, that's for sure." lol

    Copelj26
  • KagemushaKagemusha Honolulu Member

    For channel swims in Hawaii we do not need permission form the Coast Guard for solo or small group swims. We do, however, contact the CG at the start of the swim to alert the CG that we are in the water and notify CG afterwards when the swim is completed. While this is not required, we have always felt it was important that the CG have us on the radar just in case we needed any assistance.

    miklcct
  • Sara_WolfSara_Wolf Member

    @Kagemusha said:
    For channel swims in Hawaii we do not need permission form the Coast Guard for solo or small group swims. We do, however, contact the CG at the start of the swim to alert the CG that we are in the water and notify CG afterwards when the swim is completed. While this is not required, we have always felt it was important that the CG have us on the radar just in case we needed any assistance.

    I have family who live in HI now.....I'm hopeful that travel restrictions will be lifted in enough time for me to go visit and get a swim in before they're transferred back state-side. He's an avid fisherman, w/ a boat, so getting some good deep water practice swimming done would be soooo nice.

    I'm not certain I'd need a permit from the CG for a possible Mobile Bay swim....that's why I inquired of them. It would be great if they'd say to do what you do in HI..... "just let us know where you are and when you're finished." But, looking at the charts available of MB......... it's busy enough that some sort of formal notice may be required.

  • StLucia_ChannelStLucia_Channel Saint Lucia Member
    edited December 2020

    Of course, Saint Lucia is not US based but... I can tell you we need permission from the adjoining gov't agencies in both St Lucia & Martinique to swim across from St Lucia to Martinique.
    Recently, exploring alternate channel swims have led me to encounter the same request... I would think mostly since we are swimming between 2 countries.
    Swims around the coast of St Lucia would normally need approval from the local Marine Police and notifying the Emergency Services when we start and finish.
    However, more recently with the pandemic, we need input from many more agencies as well. And trying to get approvals from other country's to swim has been even more difficult.
    But we move forward and hope 2021 brings more smooth planning!

    Good luck with your plans @Sara_Wolf

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