I found it interesting that this fellow from the USCG specifically mentions a radio or cell phone. He didn't say "Boat safe so you won't ever need to call us", or "don't forget all your kayak-related safety equipment and skills", he said "don't forget...a radio or cell phone". I'm not advocating that not bringing a radio is a good idea, and I don't want to start any kind of holy war here; I'm intrigued by their response that says they're more expectant of dealing with the symptoms of poor boating, rather than encouraging that the average joe out on the water have good boating skills. I realize that this is one person's opinion, but it could be indicative of a general attitude in the Coast Guard. I wonder if that's their bias toward sea kayakers, or toward all pleasure boaters in general. I'm sure they're keyed toward the lowest denominator, which is probably the area of folks they need to rescue most anyway. I am very grateful, though, for their presence and service, but I hope to never need to call them with a distress call. I'm glad for the "Paddlewise attitude" where we encourage each other to visit the sea with good judgement and skills, rather than putting the CG on speed dial and jumping in over our heads!! Safe paddling, Shawn Marc Mandler (USCG) wrote: >Hope this helps. Happy kayaking. Don't forget your personal flotation >device and a radio or cell phone. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 12/15/00 12:36:16 PM, shawnkayak_at_yahoo.com writes: << He didn't say "Boat safe so you won't ever need to call us", or "don't forget all your kayak-related safety equipment and skills", he said "don't forget...a radio or cell phone". >> I saw that too, and thought it might be that he knew or assumed other safety features but wanted to add an extra to the mix. I don't know but it was a thought. Joan *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Shawn, I have no doubt our coast guard friend has nothing but good intentions towards us kayakers. I'm sure he added his kindly reminder "don't forget . . . a radio or cell phone" with the same good intention that you have with your sign-off, "Safe paddling". His closing, like yours, need not be considered mutually exclusive of other safety considerations. Bob *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Shawn Baker wrote: > > I found it interesting that this fellow from the USCG [Mark Mandler] > specifically mentions a radio or cell phone. > > He didn't say "Boat safe so you won't ever need to call us", or "don't > forget all your kayak-related safety equipment and skills", he said > "don't forget...a radio or cell phone". I suspect the remark represented a "best effort" response, based on the knowledge and attitude of the local CG. Every time I have talked with them about boater safety, they have stressed to me that a float plan and detailed info with a reliable shore-bound person is critical. They have also stressed wearing your PFD. I know they are not acquainted with the details of how kayakers effect self-rescue, but suspect they regard that as a small problem in the much larger host of problems they have with power boaters. On an annual basis, they have a couple hundred "incidents" locally with power boaters in trouble, and only a short handful with types like us. I don't think they worry about us much. For the type of kayak incident they deal with, check out "Lost and stranded on a Columbia River island" in the August 2000 Sea Kayaker magazine. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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