Re: [Paddlewise] Night paddle - night lights, kayak, Near Miss

As a frequent night paddler on the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge, I agree
completely with Aaron's writing. Fixed constant lighting is most useful,
perhaps,to keep track of a large group of paddlers at night.  I'd be loathe
to take such a group paddling about the Mississippi, amongst commercial
traffic at night.
Larry Koenig

----- Original Message -----
From: "Aaron White" <aaronwhite_at_mn.rr.com>
> This is all fine but of course on a large river with barge traffic after
> dark a tow operator should never have to worry about determining
> your position and direction of travel.  They often can not and
> certainly should not ever be expected to adjust course in order to
> accommodate your position.  You should stay out of the main
> channel and if your are in a portion of the river where the channel
> is marked from shore to shore you should stay clear of the area
> within the channel required by the tow operator to maintain his
> course.  It is clearly your responsibility to be aware of and stay well
> out of the path of a commercial vessel on the river.  This is true
> day or night.  I am also unclear as to what VHF communication
> would be necessary between a kayaker and a tow boat operator
> trying to do his job in tricky conditions.
>
> It would also be wise to apply the same principles to motorized
> recreational vessels of any type.  While these are far more
> manueverable and some hold on to the fantasy expectation for
> them to always operate safely around our position it is insane to
> assume the individual operator in question is going to do so.  Rules
> of the road should never be counted on by a kayaker.  Should
> something not go as "written" it is reasonable to assume it will be
> your surviving family members and not you taking any legal action.
>
> I prefer to not be continuously marked at night.  If anything it can
> draw attention to you as any lighted markings on a kayak can
> appear unusual.  I prefer to stay out of the path of any motorized
> traffic and make any necessary changes needed to assure I keep a
> safe distance.  Per the rules I carry a high intensity light to signal if
> necessary as well as a strobe light and flares to back that up.  It
> has never been necessary to use ANY of those items and I have
> extensive experience paddling in the dark.   I also personally
> suggest people not use red or green glowsticks or other lights in a
> position OTHER then the traditional bow positions.  Hanging green
> and red glow sticks on boats or PFD's may give someone the
> impression they are actually seeing a navigation light and that your
> heading is different then what it actually is.
>
> This of course is all just my opinion but I operate under the
> principal that no matter what my rights or what some rule book says
> I have a great deal of respect for vessels that can kill me without
> even leaving a mark on there bow.  I do not make the mistake of
> believing that the operator of any vessel is necessarily competent,
> alert, aware, educated, sober, etc. at any given time.  We are not
> the same and do not have equal rights.  In closing with a final
> obscure thought, while we can claim to be the top of the food chain
> when the gun jams the polar bear eats.
***************************************************************************
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/
***************************************************************************