Re: [Paddlewise] USCG response on Rules of the Road

Tecnically kayaks do have right of way. However, I'd rather be alive and in
one piece, than right. In otherwords, it's prudent to assume no one sees
you and even if they do, they won't or can't make efforts to avoid you. I
haven't taken the additional step of assuming they're out to get me. I'm
not that paranoid.
Barbara, who occasionnaly paddles in SF Bay with lots of boat traffic


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At 09:55 AM 6/9/99 EST5EDT, Karl Coplan wrote:
>After looking at the US Coast Guard site on the Rules of The Road, I 
>couldn't find any rule giving paddle powered vessels the right of 
>way, either.  Paddle powered craft are clearly "vessels," but no rule 
>requires either motor vessels or sailing vessels to give way to 
>them.  Since the Coast Guard site had a form for making inquiries 
>about applicable rules of the road, I submitted the obvious inquiry.  
>Here, to add the to confusion, is the US Coast Guard's reply, which 
>is that human powered vessels _do_ have right of way.  I do not know 
>what this is worth in admiralty court, but here it is . . .
>
>
>------- Forwarded Message Follows -------
>From:          "Marx, Barbara" <BMarx_at_comdt.uscg.mil>
>To:            "'kcoplan_at_genesis.law.pace.edu'"
<kcoplan_at_genesis.law.pace.edu>
>Subject:       RE: Web Inquiry Email
>Date:          Wed, 9 Jun 1999 07:47:11 -0400 
>
>
>Mr. Coplan, vessels operated by oars or paddles always have the right of
>way.  It would be extremely difficult to move a "human powered" vessel out
>of the way of a speeding vessel.
>
>Thanks for your interest.
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From:	Wysock, Mary LTJG 
>> Sent:	Monday, June 07, 1999 4:44 PM
>> To:	Marx, Barbara
>> Cc:	LaRue, Edward
>> Subject:	FW: Web Inquiry Email
>
Sea Kayak Italy http://www.seakayakitaly.com
tel. 650-728-8720 fax 650-728-8753
bkossy_at_igc.org
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