Re: [Paddlewise] Night paddle

----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve Holtzman" <sh_at_actglobal.net>

> Not only does this not apply to kayaks, but it can be dangerous since it
can
> confuse other ships or boats that are not used to seeing the reg and green
> lights so close together.

Actually, a red/green light in one light fixture or apparatus is a pretty
standard setup available for use on dinghies and rubber rafts.  They are
sold in marine shops.  I have not noticed any recall of these being demanded
by the Coast Guard or the marine industry as being dangerous or improper.  I
don't believe there is any issue having been brought up by any authority or
interested party on width between lights.  Some larger boats may have them
just inches apart at their bow; I have seen illustrations of such.  There
seems to be no standard as to exact such placement except the obvious one of
one being on the starboard side and the other on the port side.

The US Coast Guard publishes an official booklet titled Federal Regulations
and Safety Tips for Recreational Boats.  It is an effort to simplify the
Rules and make clearer on the lights situation that there are preferences
and requirements.  Here is what it states and illustrates on Page 24:

------------------------
"For Vessels Under Oars

If your vessel is under oars, then it should display lights for a sailboat
(Figures 3 or 4), if practicable.  As an option, your vessel may carry a
flashlight or lighted lantern that can show a white light in sufficient time
to prevent collision. (See Figure 7)"
------------------------

 That Figure 7 depicts two people in a row boat where one is pulling on the
oars and the other is shining a white light in the air.

Figure 3 mentioned as what would be the preference ( "it should display")
for a vessel under oars "if practicable" comes from the requirement for a
sailboat less than 65.6 ft long.  It shows a red light and green light up at
the bow that appear to run a range from almost touching each other to
perhaps several feet apart from the bow's apex.  It also has a white light
at the very stern.

Figure 4 also mentioned as a preference for a vessel under oars as in the
first sentence in the previous paragraph has a different light setup.  The
displayed light is up at the very top of the mast of the sailling ship and
appears to be an all-in-one light fixture containing red and green at the
front and white at the back.  Or it could be three separate lights but in
very close proximity to each other.

I draw a couple of points from all this:

--Some people have maintained that it is illegal to display anything other
than the white light.  Clearly that is not correct.

--Personally, I am happy to see the Coast Guard really looking into the
situation from a sensible safety standpoint.  It is ludicrous for a single
kayaker to be depending for his/her night paddling safety on dropping
his/her paddle, reaching for and turning on a flashlight and start waving
it.  In busy waterways you would probably get few paddle strokes in and be
at even more danger because a crossing is taking you forever.

ralph diaz

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