[Paddlewise] radar

    An important point about being visible on radar.


    Even if a ship has "the best radar" and your kayak is made entirely of
radar reflecting material the main safety factor is whether or not the ship's
crew  is paying attention to the radar. Obviously the crew of the Exxon Valdez
was not! Bligh reef was marked and visilble on radar.


    Last summer here in southeast alaska the ferry LeConte (200') almost
collided in the fog with a small cruise ship. Both ships had radar!  They
missed by 50'!


    Also I have often seen fishermen in southeast working the back of the boat
where the fishing gear is and they only occasionally look forward to see if
they are still on course. The radar could be showing a dozen kayaks and they
would not notice. 


    Also some of the bigger ships in narrow passages have little or no room to
manuvover and it takes miles for them to stop!


    So I always assume they are unaware of my presence and it is up to me to
stay out of their way.


Happy boating


Bob


sitka








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