Re: [Paddlewise] Crossings in Fog

From: R. Walker <rww_at_mailbox.neosoft.com>
Date: Sat, 11 Apr 1998 08:52:05 +0000
> 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.

A GPS does make *navigation* safe.  It doesn't make other
boaters behave safely.  Being in a kayak or canoe does give
you an advantage in that you can navigate much more hazard
filled waters than the power driven crowd.  Use a good chart,
and minimize the amount of time you spend in the channels.

IMHO people who zoom in zero visibility are much more likely to
die from hitting another powerboat, sailboat, or structure
than they are to every hit/kill a kayaker/canoeist.  Personally,
I tend to think natural selection will eliminate them long
before they do me any harm.

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

The chances of being hit with the prop are so infinitesimal; I'm
much more concerned about airplanes falling on me.  Even in a
collision you are much more likely to be killed by blunt trauma
than by the action of the prop.  The prop would probably be much
less painful.

***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/
***************************************************************************
Received on Sat Apr 11 1998 - 11:01:35 PDT

This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:29:55 PDT