Wes, Thank you for sharing the incident. I must admit that at first, I though it was going to be another Reverend Bob post (like the one where the bear was nkawing on his leg, but he was just kidding in the end), but after two paragraphs, realized you were serious. Truth really is stranger than fiction. I do think there is a huge double standard with respect to the criminal aspects. I know friends and even another fellow Paddlewiser who were accosted both on the water on off. Fortunately, here in BC the RCMP often have fast response vessels, but usually you are on your own for a time with the dangerous element(s). What I find appalling is that very often, little is done other than a slap on the wrist. Land based infractions involving harassment, circumstantial theft, etc., draw immediate and swift justice; but water based problems and off-shore or remote beach incidents garnish little support or sympathy from the law unless piratism is involved (unlikely with a kayak :-) ). All my evidence is anecdotal, but I've seen the pattern over the years. This includes float plan landings, etc. In some of the cases above, the perpetrators were under-age, and not much could be done anyway (don't take daddy's runabout anymore, sonny, was the extent, etc). But I think the authorities are cracking down on jet skiers, as is the Coast guard, so there is hope yet. I also think a lot of the problems are merely symptomatic of a society in trouble. I work with troubled youth through the church from time to time. I would love to have a small fleet of doubles one day, and take some of these aggresive youths, and get them into the challenging outdoors, away from anything motorized. Also, I don't go anywhere without leaving a float plan, taking my cell phone and VHF radio, and having my 12-guage flare gun handy. Personally, I would have shot off a flare or two (not at the offending party). Kind of like a girl crying "Fire!" when she's being sexually assaulted, rather than yelling "Rape!" in order to get some help that counts. Then again, I usually enjoy Jet Ski wake and can't get enough. If I was with my wife or kids, the outcome would have been a bit more severe for the jet skier, depending upon at which point I got hold of his kill switch (though I would have kept it for a paddle tether to keep ralph happy :-) ). I noticed the other day you agreed with a thread downplaying the need for multiple backups. I wonder if this incident altered your perspective at all. I don't think you can ever be too prepared for anything at sea. Just my opinion. Glad you all came out safe, and regardless, learned a thing or two -- and conveyed the incident to PW in a gentlemanly, dignified way. You are one big righteous dude. Doug *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
At 12:36 AM 4/14/01 -0700, Doug Lloyd wrote: >Wes, >Thank you for sharing the incident. I must admit that at first, I though >it was going to be another Reverend Bob post (like the one where the >bear was nkawing on his leg, but he was just kidding in the end), but >after two paragraphs, realized you were serious. Truth really is >stranger than fiction. Would have been nice, but unfortunately I can't write that sort of stuff as well as Rev. Bob could. (snip) >But I think >the authorities are cracking down on jet skiers, as is the Coast guard, >so there is hope yet. Seems to be the case in this neck of the woods. The COs last weekend said that they are writing more tickets to PWCs. But there will always be bozos out there. >I also think a lot of the problems are merely >symptomatic of a society in trouble. I work with troubled youth through >the church from time to time. I would love to have a small fleet of >doubles one day, and take some of these aggresive youths, and get them >into the challenging outdoors, away from anything motorized. I think you're right on both counts. There are always bozos out there, as I said, but it's the responsibility of the respectable elements of society to do something about them. I remember reading about a similar program to what you suggest sometime this last winter. It does seem to help some times. >Also, I don't go anywhere without leaving a float plan, taking my cell >phone and VHF radio, and having my 12-guage flare gun handy. Personally, >I would have shot off a flare or two (not at the offending party). Kind >of like a girl crying "Fire!" when she's being sexually assaulted, >rather than yelling "Rape!" in order to get some help that counts. We did have a float plan for the trip, not that it would have done us good for several hours. However, your point about having better ways of calling for help is well taken. We did have some of those piddly little skyblazer flares, but they're only carried because of the requirement for flares on the great lakes, where we paddle occasionally. They are not required on inland lakes. Now, I'm rethinking that part. VHF radio would not have helped -- inland lake again, no one monitoring -- but a cell phone would make sense. >Then again, I usually enjoy Jet Ski wake and can't get enough. On inland lakes, we don't see big waves unless they're motor powered. Jet skis leave piddly little wakes compared to ski and wakeboarding boats. I've caught some great surf off of them . . . > >I noticed the other day you agreed with a thread downplaying the need >for multiple backups. I wonder if this incident altered your perspective >at all. I don't think you can ever be too prepared for anything at sea. There's being reasonably prepared, and there's being overprepared. It's possible to prepare yourself so far in one direction that you increase your danger of risk in another direction. Were we underprepared for the incident? Yes. Wildly so? I don't think so given the circumstances. Certianly, the incident will lead to some modifications in preparations in the future. Atcually, the biggest sore thumb that sticks out is the need for rescue and recovery practice. >Just my opinion. Glad you all came out safe, and regardless, learned a >thing or two -- and conveyed the incident to PW in a gentlemanly, >dignified way. You are one big righteous dude. [blush] . . . aw, shucks . . . thanks . . . [/blush] -- Wes --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wes Boyd's Kayak Place http://www2.dmci.net/wesboyd/kayak.htm Kayaks for Big Guys (And Gals) | Trip Reports | Places To Go | Boats & Gear --------------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** 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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