Re: [Paddlewise] Canadian Government Regulations- Minimum Safety Requirements for Kayaks, Canoes etc.

Hello,

I am new in the list server so just a quick introduction to tell you I am based
in Paris, France and that I am part of a sea kayaking club of western France
(Brittany for those who know my country a little bit).

Regarding the Canadian regulations, I can may be bring some French feedback. In
some regions of France (in particular Brittany) there is a special regulation
that authorises sea kayaks to navigate up to 4 nautical miles from a haven; this
regulation actually considers sea kayak like any other sail- or motorboat and
includes it in the so-called "4th navigation category". The prerequisite to get
this authorisation is first to navigate in group of minimum three boats and to
bring some specific equipment on each boat, among which a towing line (yes,
Ralph ! and that can be, I experienced it, very usefull) a VHF, safety fuses,
signalisation mirror, spare paddle and some other things.

My turn to ask you all for some feedback : I (with other paddlers from my club)
am planning a trip in the Aleutian Islands next year, I would therefore be
interested in knowing about the eventual experience some of you may have,
usefull contacts, possibility of local kayak renting (what kind of boats?),
relevant books and travel guides...

By the way, is there any kayak-focused bookstore in New York ? In which
bookstore will I find the widest choice of travel guides abnd nautical/hiking
maps (cf. Aleutian Islands) ?

Thks in advance for your help.

Maëg VIDEAU
Paris, France
maeg.videau_at_db.com




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From: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com on 20/01/99 08:49 GMT

To:   paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
cc:
Subject:  Re: [Paddlewise] Canadian Government Regulations- Minimum Safety
      Requirements for Kayaks, Canoes etc.




Philip Wylie wrote:
>
> Effective January 18-22, 1999 here are 'some'of the official Regulations
> from the Canadian Coast Guard where Kayaks and Canoes are concerned:


Interesting development regarding color of PFDs.  Faced with people not
wearing PFDS, Canada has thrown up its hands.  It believes the reason
for this is that people don't like the colors that were formerly
required, yellow and orange.  It will now approve PFDs in any color and
states its rationale: more fashionable colors may get people to wear
their PFDs more.  But the Coast Guard does suggest that brighter colors
would be better than darker ones.

Also, Canada requires canoes and kayaks to carry a "heaving line of 15
meter or greater length."  I wonder how many paddlers anywhere carry
such a length of line and what would they hope to accomplish with it...I
don't think the Canadian authorities have towing in mind but rather
heaving, i.e. throwing the line to someone to pull them in.  Sounds like
the regulation that was being discussed at one point in the US to have
all boats, including canoes and kayaks, to carry life preserver rings to
throw to people overboard.

Who is writing these regulations?

ralph diaz
--
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Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter
PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024
Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com
"Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag."
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