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. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
----- Original Message ----- From: "Bemis, Scott E." <SEBemis_at_bemis.com> > 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. > Scott, I have seen boats with the split red and green lights only--This is not according to rule 20 and 21 as there also HAS to be a white light on the stern. A boat rising and falling with the swell that at times shows a red light and at other times a green light as the boat moves slightly sideways with the swell, and does not have a white light in the stern, will be very confusing. A flashing light will be a distress signal where you are because I believe that MN follows the Inland Rules. Where I paddle, we have to follow the International Rules, and the Rules make no mention of a flashing white light. A flashing yellow light could be indicating a submarine, dredging operations, a hovercraft in displacement mode, or a vessel that is being pushed ahead or towed alongside another vessel (I have seen each of these on the water except for the hovercraft). The rules are complicated --that's why there are lawyers that specialize in maritime law. I still think that for a kayaker, it is best to keep a white light available to be turned on when necessary, and to stay out of the way of others. If you don't show up on radar, most commercial vessels would not see you anyway. I believe it was Ralph Diaz who came up with the "Rule of Gross Tonnage", if it's bigger than you it has the right of way. That is even more important during periods of limited visibility. We are not even speed bumps for a ship and if they did see us, I doubt they could do much prior to hitting us. It's up to us to stay out of their way. Steve Holtzman *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Scott Bemis wrote: - >seeing a white light suddenly at night can >be quite confusing G'Day, Paddling on Sydney Harbour one dark, moonless night - sighted the strangest green firefly hovering 6 foot off the water. It kept darting up - down - sideways moving several feet at a time and followed me for half an hour keeping at a distance of about 100 meters - started to realise this wasn't a fire fly but an out of control midget UFO - terrified!! Tried to paddle away but it cornered me outside the wharf at Skiffies Bar.................. Kayak with a light on a 6 foot length of thin bamboo:~) All the best, PeterO *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
I had a recent near miss with a barge which brings out several of the points that have been discussed on the night light issue. I frequently paddle the Mississippi and other rivers with heavy barge traffic. In general they aren't much of a problem, I don't want to be in the middle of the traffic channel and they don't want to be near the shore. On a recent night paddle South of Grafton, IL, just north of St. Louis, I was about 60 yards off shore. Along the shore was River Road with substantial traffic. I had a life jacket light attached to the shoulder of my pfd, a 360 degree white light under the bungee in front of me and a flashlight within reach. I had dealt with several power boats crossing my path with no problem. I shut off the light in front of me because it was drawing bugs and it's glare was greatly reducing my night vision. I noticed a boat upstream from me near the shore go behind something. I knew there weren't any islands in that area. Looking closer I made out a green light and a red light about 20 feet apart. Barge! heading my way. I flashed my light and paddled hard towards shore out of its way, and was well clear when it passed. A little later heading back downstream I wasn't as lucky. Despite my increased attentiveness, against the River Road traffic I did not pick out the running lights or shadow of an upstream bound barge until we were within about 60 feet. He saw me about the time I saw him. He cut his engine, hit his horn and with his floodlight he motioned me to pass on his left. I cleared the lead barge by less than 20 feet. Adrenelin and fast boats can be a good combination. A few lessons: 1. know traffic patterns. I now know that at this point on the river the barges get right next to shore going both upstream and downstream. 2. A shoulder light is blocked by your head for a good portion of arc in front of you and is too dim in areas with background lights 3. On major inland rivers a radio to monitor traffic can be a lifesaver. I will probably upgrade my lighting, but I haven't decided how yet. Something bright enough to be noticed, yet directional enough to maintain night vision. *************************************************************************** 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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