Re: [Paddlewise] Rules of the Road

While the courtesy of allowing paddlers to navigate without trouble from 
other vessels would be nice, it can't be expected. I am reminded of my 
childhood sailing instructor who said, "Right of way is given, not taken". 
 Small boats prevail in our family so we have developed what we call the 
Gross Tonnage Rule. It states that if the other vessel is bigger than 
yours- STAY OUT OF ITS WAY. Yes, the rules of the road give human powered 
vessels the right of way but there are also exceptions. According to the 
Navigation Rules for International and Inland Waters (which is a required 
document aboard all vessels 12 meters or more in length) a common exception 
that paddlers may encounter is in narrow channels. Keep in mind that what 
looks like a huge channel to us may in fact be a very narrow channel to a 
larger vessel or one constrained by its draft (like a sailboat with a 
keel). Rule 9. - Narrow Channels - states that a vessel of less than 20 
meters in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the passage of a 
vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway. I 
won't bore everyone with the details of other rules, but suffice it to say 
that there are others that relate to avoiding collisions and the 
responsibilities between vessels that would apply to paddlers.

Please understand, I am not "taking the other side". I am only pointing out 
that there are times you may have to grant right of way. Being right may 
not be very satisfying if you are all wet (or dead right as someone pointed 
out). There is also a bigger issue-- that of visibility. I have had many 
close calls while out paddling. I assumed that most of them were 
intentional or serious carelessness on the part of the other boat. I have 
since realized that kayaks can be VERY difficult to see, especially when 
people are not looking for them. I have had numerous instances where I have 
startled sailors and fishermen by saying hello. They had no idea I was 
there. I was sure they could see me but conditions such as the sun and 
waves can make a low-lying boat near impossible to see. Since that 
revelation I have worn my 90-decibel whistle around my neck and at the 
ready instead of stowed on deck. There is no excuse for the PWC that makes 
repeated passes to bother you but there is a strong possibility that the 
boat that came "close aboard" never saw you.

Ed Bean
I had a series of strokes last night :)


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