[Paddlewise] Paddling in a Fog

There has ben considerable traffic on the list indirectly revolving
around this issue of paddling in the fog. It definitely falls into the
category Kevin and Scott bring up about personal limits. I mentioned a
few posts ago that I never do it. I meant that I never paddle in the fog
in context of what I feel might be a dangerous situation. That doesn't
mean I don't ever paddle in a fog (posting in a fog can be dangerous
too!).

Paddling in the fog can be a wonderful, surreal experience. Many do it,
I'm sure. It was either Peter or Fred or someone who asked the list a
few days ago, if there were any hints about fog paddling. I didn't see
any come up. Perhaps there was some back-channel communication. Perhaps
paddlers don't like to talk about it in a public manner, preferring to
keep it to themselves. I can understand this.

Voluntary fog paddling is an area that can be done safely. My routes
include areas that I know well. Large tidal flushes tend to keep me from
an area, however, as does heavy vessel traffic, and open water with a
lot of swell and reefs. Long crossings can be difficult. I have done
them in the fog in remote areas where the traffic was restricted more to
slower moving displacement hull vessels like fish boats. Fog can play
mind games with you, and this is why I'm always cautious both for
myself, and when talking about the subject around beginner kayakers or
canoeists. I find it very difficult to distinguish other vessel
direction and speed in a thick fog, by the use of sound. It just isn't
reliable enough - IMHO.

I don't know what the situation is like in the USA and other parts, but
here in the south coast of BC, Vessel traffic Services has a voluntary
program you can participate in during crossings of busy shipping
channels. When transiting lanes or traveling down them, it is mandatory
depending upon vessel displacement, to contact VTS. Kayaks don't have
to. When I do cross lanes, my back-up plan would be to call these guys
up, not just try to broadcast to ships in the general vicinity if
trouble was underfoot. VTS can DF you position from your VHF, and then
work with other large vessels with restricted abilities to maneuver. VTS
can give you a compass heading to follow, to avoid collision (read - you
being run over). They can factor in currents and your speed if you know
it.

Fog paddling can also be aided with an ARC product, inflating helium
balloon radar reflector. They are used on life rafts. I'm not sure if we
have discussed them before on PW. BTW, Canada has a new option just
announced recently. You can now use "16" on your cell phone to get the
Coast Guard, just as you can with your VHF. Of course, they can't DF
your position with your cell phone.

All in all, fog paddling can be a hoot and done safely and within most
reasonable personal limits. I just choose my places as carefully as I
can. I have back-up plans for involuntary fog paddling, and as usual,
the navigation and dead reckoning needed to paddle fog safely is
something done best by a more intermediate paddler. New paddlers don't
always no what there limits should be, but are, of course, free to
expand there horizons. Or is that limit their horizons?

BC'in Ya
Doug Lloyd


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