Re: [Paddlewise] Night Gear and red LEDs

From: David Carlson <qajaq_at_nwlink.com>
Date: Fri, 08 May 1998 19:29:22 -0700
Some clarification:

Julio MacWilliams wrote:
> 
> >
> > I was curious if anyone knows of any boating LED set ups, since LED's have
> > relatively low power drain and they come in the colors required for night
> > time boat use (Red/Green/White).
> 
> The white/red/green combination can only be used on power boats. Any
> human powered boat must not have red and green lights.

Not so.  They may be used on human (and sail) powered craft, but are
not required on human powered craft.


> The white light for human powered craft must be visible all around,
> 360 degrees.

The only requirement for human powered craft is a light that can be 
displayed to signal your presence.  It does not need to be coutinuously
displayed or visible 360 degrees.  A flashlight will do.

> Intermittent and strobe lights are strictly forbiden in inland waters
> except to indicate distress. The definition of inland water is not
> as obvious as it sounds, most of the California coast happens to be
> considered inland water.

This is true (about the strobe).  Of course, in international waters,
the strobe can be used in non-emergency situations, but it is **very**
irritating to your paddling companions.  Even the continuously displayed
white light may be irritating to anyoen paddling behind you.  I prefer
a long-burning chemical light strip.

> Those are the regulations.
> 
> There is a pencil shaped 360 degree light for sale at West Marine.
> I tape that vertically to my helmet's back so that my helmet looks
> like a light house (permanently lit, no flashing). They claim to have
> a duration of 8+ ours on 2 AA batteries.
> 
> Ralph wrote a nice article about the subject on
> <http://www.seakayaker.com>
> 
> Be aware that the swamp monster is waiting out there for night paddlers. :-)
> 
> - Julio
> 
Dave Carlson
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Received on Fri May 08 1998 - 19:29:58 PDT

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