Re: [Paddlewise] Safety in Recreational Kayaks

Steve Holtzman wrote:
> 
> Since it would be very difficult for "law enforcement" to know whether a
> boat was a "rec" boat or a serious kayak why don't we also legislate and
> require the use of:
> 1. Hand held flares
> 3. Parachute flares
> 4. VHF for all trips longer than 1 mile
> 6. Signal mirror
> 7. Compass, chart of the area
> 8. Spare paddle
> 10. Bilge pump
> 11. Tow rope (must be minimum 45' long made of floating line with a breaking
> 13. PFD (worn not carried)
> 14. Skirt
> 16. Whistle

(stripped the list just a little)

Now add: A hard-shell boat of at least 4 meters long, 50 cm wide,
Toggles, floatation, flashlight, lumo sticks, spare paddle, red flag,
wetsuit, permit for each trip of 24 hours at most, and groups of at
least 3 kayaks.

That's the list that Kevin sent me, on a back-channel request for the
requirements on the French sea, where I plan to paddle this spring. Oh
man! How do I stuff two other kayakkers complete with kayaks in my front
hatch?

Luckily these regulations are for the ocean. The mediterranian, where I
plan to paddle, is hopefully less strict. Otherwise, I'll just take the
floatation out of my boat and act as a submarine whenever the coastguard
passes by.

I always thought the Americans were security-obsessed, but it seems that
at least one French politian has a serious phobia of water. "Excuse me,
is it safe to use the bathroom without a PFD?"

Sorry, had to get this off my chest.

Niels.

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