When swimming on the open water, the Harris family took a page from the largest mammals in the sea.

“We swam together like a little whale pod,” said Jessica Harris.

She and husband, Alan, both teachers, have participated in the Buzzards Bay Coalition’s annual swim for seven and six years, respectively.

“It was the perfect marriage of two of our interests. We both love to swim. We support and have always supported the work of the Buzzards Bay Coalition.”

Saturday’s swim was the first for the couple’s daughter Ruth, 12.

Twelve is the minimum age for the 1.2-mile swim from New Bedford Harbor to Fort Phoenix Beach State Reservation in Fairhaven. The event is a fundraiser for the organization and supports efforts to protect and preserve the bay. Participants had raised more than $100,000 by Saturday, and there’s still time to make donations.

The Harrises raised approximately $1,300 on their own.

“We had over 20 people donate and we appreciate their donations very much,” said Alan.

He added that many of those donations were given to Ruth. That only helped urge the first-timer out into the water.

“She decided she was willing to take on the challenge. We urged her when she got cold feet to try it,” said Jessica.

On Saturday, the Harris family dove into the 72-degree water with 207 other swimmers.

“It’s getting bigger and bigger every year, which is terrific,” said Jessica.

Ruth also enjoys swimming. She and her younger brother are on the YMCA swim team.

The Harris whale pod, with Ruth sandwiched between Jessica and Alan, swam the route in 35 minutes. The elder Harrises kept pace with their daughter on her first open water swim.

Completing it was a triumph for Ruth.

“She was just over the moon,” said Jessica. “It’s a very respectable time and also gives her something to try to beat next year.”

All in all 18 tri-town residents participated in the Buzzards Bay Coalition Swim, including Bill Muldoon of Mattapoisett. If Muldoon, Anthony Garro of Dartmouth, Matt Shenker of Pocasset and Dan Vasconcellos of Pembroke each raise $5,000, long-time swimmer Larry Fish of West Falmouth has pledged to donated an additional $10,000 to the Coalition.

Up next, the Coaltiion will have its Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride, a 76-mile bicycle ride from Westport to Woods Hole and 35-mile route beginning in Rochester. The ride is October 5.

For more information on the swim and ride, visit www.savebuzzardsbay.org.