[Paddlewise] Night paddle - night lights, kayak, lengthy

The rules for night lights in Minnesota, U.S.A. for kayaks and canoes is the
turning on a white light when approached by a another boat . . . 

And I respectfully disagree with the statement 
   "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 red and
green
    lights so close together"

For the U.S.A., please refer to rule 20 and 21 at
http://www.uscg.mil/vtm/navrules/navrules.pdf, for example the section, "a
vessel less than 20 meters in length the sidelights may be combined in one
lantern carried on the fore and aft centerline of the vessel."  Many
recreational power boats are less than 20 meters in length.  The red/green
light are one lantern, split so the green shows to the starboard for 112
degrees and the red shows to the port for 112 degrees.  I would hope U.S.A.
boaters are used to red and green lights being close together as this is in
the U.S.A. Coast Guard rules. 

And you care to read further . . .

Now this is my opinion and NOT the rules, seeing a white light suddenly at
night can be quite confusing to many recreational boaters, especially those
who may not be familiar with the rules.  Even if I suddenly see a white
light (and I know this should be a paddle boat that moves a slow speed, at
least in Minnesota), I would have great difficulty in determining its course
heading.   If I were ever in a large sailboat on a night sail, what would I
do if I suddenly noticed a white light where there was no light before?
Pull out the night vision scope and determine what object is out there.  Do
kayakers expect every boater to do this?  Again, the kayaker is following
the rules with the white light.  

And if I were underway in a city harbor in which there are street lights and
other lights on shore, do you think a kayaker's sudden white light might
blend with the street lights on shore . . . especially if I were not looking
in your direction when you turned on your light . . .   

And if there are any waves like on Lake Superior and for some odd reason, a
kayaker is paddling at night, the white light looks like a flashing white
light which is a distress call as the kayaker bobs up and down in the waves.
I would assume a distress call until proven otherwise.   

I attach separate red and green LED, waterproof flashlights to the port and
starboard (small, single AA battery).   With a sloped bow deck on the a
Current Designs Storm, I can follow the Coast Guard rules.  And I have white
all around light, see www.scotty.com, No. 823 SEA-Light for Paddling Safety 
Intense light visible for up to 2 Miles - USCG Approved
Waterproof and Corrosion resistant. Runs up to 8 hours on 2 AA batteries.
Includes 20" pole, and No. 241 combination side/dock mount. Removable light
is portable and can easily attach to life jacket.

This message is long enough.  


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