>Hi Paddlers > >The recognition of seakayaks depends to a great extent of colours on the boat >and the equipment. If all paddles was red, boats yellow and flotation aid >screaming red this would be as good as possible for normal use. A flag and >flashing light (for evenings) in addition will improve. > >Dealer offers sea alike camouflage colours. I myself have a green bluish >floatation aid (not recommendable) and a yellow boat (seakayak type Hasle >Exporer) and blue spray deck. I am still alive but the visibility could have >been better. > >The dealers have a great responsibility to recommend products with adequate >visibility. > >I wander if there are possible to spray on colours for better visibility on >paddles? >Regards / Med hilsen >Tor Dalberg >Det Norske Veritas AS >OCT 750, Pipelines, 1322 Høvik >Phone: +47 67 57 91 34 >Fax: +47 67 57 99 11 >E-mail (work): Tor.Dalberg_at_dnv.com >E.mail (priv) : tordalb_at_online.no >www: http://www.dnv.no *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Hello Tor, My kayak is beige over beige, and I really like the look. I use a varnished wooden paddle. I have a yellow PFD that I wear on larger bodies of water that have motor boat activity, but I like to wear a green PFD on quieter waters. I also try to use deck gear that is of natural tones. In general, I very much prefer boats and gear that are of soft, subtle natural colors -- I don't much like the bright colors. I do fear that the over-emphasis on color as related to safety may cause some lawmakers to consider legislating the color of boats and gear, and that concerns me. I think it should remain a personal choice. As for painting on colors, I would think it would be an easy matter on composite or wood boats, but I'm not sure about painting poly boats. In trying to figure out where you are (what waters you paddle), I visited the web site listed in your message. What a fascinating operation! It seems your foundation is very much involved in issues of maritime safety, particularly with respect to shipping and oil exploration and drilling, correct? Have you or DNV done any studies of safety as it relates to color of vessels or equipment? Just wondering . . . . Mark >Hi Paddlers > >The recognition of seakayaks depends to a great extent of colours on the boat >and the equipment. If all paddles was red, boats yellow and flotation aid >screaming red this would be as good as possible for normal use. A flag and >flashing light (for evenings) in addition will improve. > >Dealer offers sea alike camouflage colours. I myself have a green bluish >floatation aid (not recommendable) and a yellow boat (seakayak type Hasle >Exporer) and blue spray deck. I am still alive but the visibility could have >been better. > >The dealers have a great responsibility to recommend products with adequate >visibility. > >I wander if there are possible to spray on colours for better visibility on >paddles? >Regards / Med hilsen >Tor Dalberg >Det Norske Veritas AS >OCT 750, Pipelines, 1322 Høvik >Phone: +47 67 57 91 34 >Fax: +47 67 57 99 11 >E-mail (work): Tor.Dalberg_at_dnv.com >E.mail (priv) : tordalb_at_online.no >www: http://www.dnv.no *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Hi, My Romany is bright yellow, top and bottom. Why did I get the boat with this color? Because the Coast Guard told me that is the most visible color on the sea, and therefore the color they like best in searches. White, which I had thought would be good, is not good because a white kayak can be confused with cresting foam and whitecaps. Jack Fu *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
S > a personal choice. As for painting on colors, I would think it would be an > easy matter on composite or wood boats, but I'm not sure about painting poly > boats. You _can_ spray paint polyethylene boats. Perhaps the spray paint won't stay on forever. But it will stick. I know of one fellow here in NYC Harbor with a sit-on-top boat who did spray paint with some day glo neon color. I was out on a trip in the harbor and I looked up the Hudson about a mile and half and could see his boat even though it was a hazy day. The boat looked like s--t but it was certainly visible at incredible distances. ralph -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I was lead to believe that a light blue was the most visible color at sea. I was recently involved with a rescue on a large inland lake in northern Alberta. The helicopter, police boat and plane spotted the light blue 18 foot CLC WR 180 before it spotted the bright yellow 21 foot double Tred Avon. The conditions were cloudy, 5 - 6 foot whitecapping waves, 40 knot winds and light rain. :) Jim Meldrum Slave Lake, Alberta. Canada > My Romany is bright yellow, top and bottom. Why did I get > the boat with this color? Because the Coast Guard told me > that is the most visible color on the sea, and therefore > the color they like best in searches. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> -----Original Message----- > From: Jim Meldrum [mailto:meldrum_at_yourfuture.ab.ca] > > I was lead to believe that a light blue was the most visible > color at sea. > > I was recently involved with a rescue on a large inland lake > in northern > Alberta. The helicopter, police boat and plane spotted the > light blue 18 > foot CLC WR 180 before it spotted the bright yellow 21 foot > double Tred > Avon. The conditions were cloudy, 5 - 6 foot whitecapping > waves, 40 knot > winds and light rain. We have a former SAR pilot on the list - how 'bout it Jack - any opinions? Dave Seng Juneau, Alaska *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Snip > > I was lead to believe that a light blue was the most visible > > color at sea. > > > > I was recently involved with a rescue on a large inland lake > > in northern > > Alberta. The helicopter, police boat and plane spotted the > > light blue 18 > > foot CLC WR 180 before it spotted the bright yellow 21 foot > > double Tred > > Avon. The conditions were cloudy, 5 - 6 foot whitecapping > > waves, 40 knot > > winds and light rain. > > We have a former SAR pilot on the list - how 'bout it Jack - any opinions? Snip As a current SAR pilot, I'll add my own two cents. The biggest thing that will get you noticed is the old "one of these things is not like the other" factor. Things that seem out of place get noticed. In other words, light blue would probably work well over a darker gray-green sea, but is very difficult to see in shallower waters such as off the coast of Pensacola (I speak from experience on this one). I recommend a couple of things- Mostly common sense- First, don't rely on just one signalling device. If you do it will be ineffective or broken when you need it most. Figure out what kind of paddling you'll be doing, then gear up accordingly. A light blue or green boat in the Bahamas will be much less likely to be seen than on Lake Superior. Strobes are of NO value during the day. Second, know how to use your gear! Practice when safe so you can do it when you need to. Lighting off flares, tuning VHF radios, etc. can be challenging when you are shocky, cold, wet, etc. Third, keep it simple. VHF radios are great, flares are good, etc, but in reality one of the best signalling devices (during the day) is a simple $3 plastic mirror available at lots of places. I've seen the flash from these as far as 15 miles on a decent day. I'll take a breath powered whistle over a compressed air horn any day. At night a strobe can be seen for over 10 miles if the SAR pilots are using NVG's (which we all do), but even a flashlight waved vigorously is very easy to see at night. Color wise I still don't think you can beat International Orange. Almost nothing on the water is naturally that color. I have the blades of my paddle spray painted this color for just this reason Lastly, don't lose hope if a SAR platform passes you by and doesn't see you. Most of our patterns have us revisiting an area numerous times to increase the Pd (probability of detection). If we miss you on the first pass, think about what you can do next time to make yourself more visible. It could be something as simple as splashing vigorously when we get nearer. In calm seas this is actually a pretty good technique. Regards, Kevin *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
KEVIN M KENNEY wrote: > Color wise I still don't think you can beat International Orange. I can't remember if any one called that color by its full name: International RESCUE Orange. Early on when Canada was coming up with its current Maple Leaf flag instead of using the Navy Ensign flag (or whatever it was), I kidded my wife (she's from Alberta Canada) because the first one we were able to buy in a store was of a color just shy of Int'l Rescue Orange. I thought at the time "what a wonderful way to combine patriot's pride with safety savvy." ralph diaz -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
If you can convince the owner of said boat to cover that brightwork! Mark wrote: >As for painting on colors, I would think it would be an >easy matter on....wood boats *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Jack Fu wrote: >Hi, > >My Romany is bright yellow, top and bottom. Why did I get >the boat with this color? Because the Coast Guard told me >that is the most visible color on the sea, and therefore >the color they like best in searches. White, which I had thought >would be good, is not good because a white kayak can be confused >with cresting foam and whitecaps. > >Jack Fu > My Caribou has a yellow deck, red trim, and a white hull (red PFD). When I first got it, a friend remarked that it looked like a floating warning sign. Precisely. As for the white hull... I suppose if that were the exposed side (inverted), I too would be a part of the cresting foam and whitecaps confusion. Been there done that and will do it again. ;-) Melissa *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
<We have a former SAR pilot on the list - how 'bout it Jack - any opinions?> Well, gee, Dave, I'm kind of a lurker here, slow to rise to bait, as you know, but, well --- yes, I suppose I could muster an opinion or two. Addressing several posts further down the list, I agree that paddles are a big factor. My Euro padldes --- on the rare occasion that I use Euro over Greenland --- have really obnoxious flourescent yellow blades. 'Cause I spray painted them that way. But they're bright! Dan Winters did a highly unscientific study once down in Hampton Roads, and painted various paddle blades various flourescent colors --- yellow, orange, green, and pink, may have been others --- sent a bunch of them in several boats on a hazy morning, and had an observer try to pull the kayak out by the color of the paddle. The paddle blades were always seen well before the kayak or the kayaker, and, as I recall, orange was the best. But yellow was right up there, and the observability of each color was very close to one another --- and always beat out the yellow or orange hull or deck by a lot. So I use flourescent yellow. Seems like the BCU or some other Anglo-authority sites orange and yellow as the colors of preference --- and may or may have mandated those colors for some level of participation --- can't remember specifics, but I do remember the colors. Which is why my Pintail is claret over dove grey. Oh, well --- it's pretty. Retroreflective tape is great --- if you're paddling at night and there is a light source close behind or in front of the observer of said tape. Get about ten degrees away from a light source, and the stuff disappears. But it's still, by far, the best thing to have on your boat and PFD at night. (During the day, it has virtually no value whatsoever.) There's an old Navy A-4 driver who owes his life to that stuff --- my first rescue in North Viet Nam --- 'cause he was also incredibly stupid, and had gotten rid of all his other survival gear. But we got a visual on a glint from our belly search light from the token reflective tape design on his hardhat, and were able to save his stupid derriere. Personal observation, and I think this will show up on most of the "expert opinion" data, too: international orange is the most visible conventional color, per se, on any conventional color list. But flourescent anything beats it. And now 3M has a flourescent yellow material they sell for crossing signs (Maryland has adopted it) that is also retroreflective! Cool stuff! That enough, Dave? Back to sleep. Jack *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
If there's a question about the top colors or you want white for evening/night and orange/neon green for day, there's nothing to stop you from painting the blades different colors... KeS *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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