Re: [Paddlewise] Crossings in Fog

From: John Winters <735769_at_ican.net>
Date: Sat, 11 Apr 1998 07:24:11 -0400
There is a simple rule about travelling in fog. Don't. Only travel in fog
if there is no option.

For those interested in what to do if you get caught there is a good
discussion of navigating in fog in Jeff Markell's "The Sailor's Weather
Guide".

If you paddle in areas where fog is common you should learn the conditions
that cause it and be extra cautious when those conditions exist. Even at
that you may not be able to avoid it completely.

The biggest danger is the one mentioned by Colin Calder - that you will
assume that a GPS makes fog navigation safe. The GPS may tell you where you
are but it doesn't tell anyone else where you are. Like Saul I have seen
many high speed powerboats zipping down channels on a full plane. You know
they have a GPS and can't see squat. It is difficult not to hope they will
meet their kindred souls head on.

On Georgian Bay fog can set in quickly and when fog is likely (dew point
spread is small) I paddle very close to shore and make no open water or
wide channel crossings.

I doubt if any safety gear will protect you from what a prop at high speed
will do to you.

Cheers,
John Winters
Redwing Designs
Specialists in Human Powered Watercraft
http://home.ican.net/~735769/

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Received on Sat Apr 11 1998 - 04:38:20 PDT

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