The Chincoteague Pony Swim and Auction is celebrating its 100th anniversary today, as spectators on land, on boats, and charter or kayak tours have ventured out in the very early morning hours to watch the historic swim.
On the eve of the swim, we spoke to the U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port about what it takes to keep the ponies safe, spectators on the water safe, and any possible security threats at Bay at this unique event.
Each year since 1925, the Saltwater Cowboys of the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department herd the wild ponies from their grazing grounds on Assateague Island to swim across the channel to the Chincoteague shore. There, they are auctioned off to raise money for the upkeep of the herd.
The event has become so popular that the town of Chincoteague sees an influx of an estimated 50,000 spectators for the week of the Pony Swim. Insiders know that the best view is from the water, so people flock to the area in recreational boats, paddlecraft, and on charter sightseeing trips.
Captain Peggy M. Britton, Captain of the Port for U.S. Coast Guard Sector Virginia, says with favorable weather this year, several thousand people were expected to be on the water. Britton tells us that coordinating an on-water event like this is no small feat, and Coast Guard planning has been underway for seven months. Most recently, USCG helped launch the Saltwater Cowboys’ barge and placed the safety zone buoys for the area where the ponies swim.
The Coast Guard has called upon Stations Chincoteague, Wachapreague, Little Creek, along with Portsmouth and the Aids to Navigation team stationed right in Chincoteague. At least seven Coast Guard vessels, ranging from 27 to 87 feet long, were dispatched to support the event’s water safety, not to mention personal watercraft patrols by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, Department of Wildlife Resources vessels, and other federal and local law enforcement. Britton said crews were due on deck at 3 a.m. Wednesday morning to get into place for Pony Swim day. The swim is traditionally run at slack tide, which was forecast for about 8:30 a.m. this year.
This collaborative law enforcement effort with other agencies may have been especially important for this year’s big anniversary. In early April we reported that the Chincoteague mayor heard of a “credible” threat against the 100th Pony Swim, and extra security precautions were announced at that time. Coolers, umbrellas, and large bags were banned or limited and extra security screenings were added.
Britton says she has no credible reason to believe something would happen, but law enforcement has been working together proactively on a very visible presence “to deter any would-be bad actor.” She says USCG has been getting out in front of the event, working in close collaboration with Virginia police.
“The best possible scenario is that we’re there and absolutely nothing happens. It wouldn’t be prudent if we didn’t have an increased security presence,” she explains. Britton sings the praises of the cooperative efforts of the unified command for the event. “We have really strong local leadership that is willing to accept outside resources… and an entire community of public responders,” she says.
For her own part, Britton is excited to have led the Coast Guard efforts for the last ten years of the Pony Swim because, well, she’s a fan. “When I first came into this role in 2015 I was thrilled to discover that it’s one of the many on-water events we coordinate. For me personally it was extremely gratifying because as a girl I read Misty of Chincoteague.” Like many readers of the popular novel series, she’s captivated by the thought that some of the ponies swimming today are descendants of the lineage of Misty.
“There’s just something exhilarating about seeing this event,” she shares.
After the Coast Guard finishes holding the safety zone Wednesday, their presence will remain on the water for the rest of the week to ensure safe recreational boating during all of the festivities. You can the schedule for the rest of Pony Swim week here.
