Re: [Paddlewise] Strobes are not running lights

While we design our own personal color schemes and frequencies of flashing 
lights, maybe it would be worth visiting the idea that staying well clear of 
shipping lanes while in kayaks is another viable alternative.  That's days, 
too.  We are tiny, tiny targets out there, folks.  I've flown for hours in 
Ralph's environment --- the brightly lit night sky of New York --- with both 
Coast Guard and Navy SAR aircraft, and it's really, really hard to see big 
things like Whalers and larger cruising boats, especially at night (although 
night does tend to cut down on some visual clutter, assuming a foundering 
vessel still has lights or radios).  We are not visible, as low in the water 
as we are, and radar is totally useless unless we're carrying an effective 
reflector on a mast.  And that can be less than effective in any sort of sea 
state, unless the mast is higher than the boat is long!

Somebody else stated it well --- and I've lost the message --- but let's just 
stay clear of the shipping lanes and the harbor traffic unless we have to do 
a channel crossing.  There's plenty of shallows where we can paddle but most 
powered or sailing craft can't go.  The idea that we're safe if we look like 
a radio-emitting Christmas tree with "chasing" tree lights and pink and 
purple strobes is interesting, but all it's really going to do is to distract 
and confuse the people we most want to notice us and understand who and where 
we are.  We're a lot better off just staying out of the way whenever and 
wherever possible.  Or maybe we just stay out of the way --- period.

Jack Martin

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