Re: [Paddlewise] Ship jousting

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I do not think you will have any problems.  I have spent 1000's of hours
paddling along the Intracoastal.   You just have to be aware of what is
going on with channel traffic.  I try not to paddle in the actual channel
but rather just off to the side.  The edge of the channel is marked with
the floating buoys (either green can or red nun).   The day markers (the
permanently mounted poles) are actually located outside the edge of the
channel.  I usually try to paddle in that imaginary lane between the buoys
and the day markers.  This keeps you in deeper water, but the channel
traffic should not have to do anything to avoid you.  In my area if you get
too far off the channel the water can be less than a foot deep.  If we have
higher tides I will move further off the channel as long as I can paddle in
2-3 ft water.   

Some things to remember:

1. Look behind you every 20-30 min.   It is amazing how close a barge can
sneak up behind you before you hear it, especially if you are paddling into
the wind.

2.  If a barge is going to pass you make a visible move away from the
channel.  Most of the time I do not think the tug captains even see you,
but I like to point away from the channel in case they are watching so they
will know you are not about to turn and head in front of them.  I do not
move very far off my normal paddling lane, but I think even a small change
away from the channel makes the tugs feel more comfortable with passing
you.  Again this is more of a courtesy, than a real safety issue. However: 
I have seen a barge run right over one of the green can buoys so that
little extra separation from the main channel could be important.

3. Watch out for power boats that are trying to pass barges.  They are
paying lots of attention to the barge and may not even see you as they
swing out of the channel to pass the barge.  There is not much you can do
except watch for them and be prepared to hold your paddle up vertically and
wave it wildly if it looks as if they are headed your way.  Some of those
shallow draft fishing boats can and will swing way outside the main channel.

4. Never trust that a power boat will actually follow the channel.    Some
think that the day markers are the channel edge and will actually leave the
main channel to get closer to a day marker.  Others have no idea of what
side of the buoys is actually the channel side.   Others, especially the
shallow draft boats, will choose to run outside the channel on the more
protected side to get in the flat water so their ride is not so rough. 

5.  Exercise extreme caution where the Colorado meets the intracoastal. 
You do not want to be anywhere near that intersection if a barge is coming
through.  As the barges cross the Colorado they have to make a guess as how
to balance direction with the current flowing downstream and the wind that
usually blows upstream.   I saw a tug pushing 2 unloaded barges adjust his
direction slightly upstream to correct for the current.   Unfortunately he
forgot about the funnel affect on the wind and as the barges started across
the river they were pushed dramatically upstream by the wind.   He slammed
the barges into the lock protection wings and just crushed some of those
huge timbers to splinters.   Luckily we were still on shore loading the
kayaks so we got to enjoy the show rather than participate in it.   

Have a good paddle

Mark J. Arnold

> From: Stephen F Logan <sfl1222_at_sbcglobal.net>
>
>  I would be interested in any suggestions and advice for paddling in 
> the Intracoastal.  I have paddled across it many times but, never any real 
> time paddling it's length.  I have hopes to paddle from Bay City to Palacios 
> one day and one possible route is down the Colorado River, turn right at the 
> Intracoastal, paddle to Oyster Lake, cut across Oyster Lake to the mouth of 
> the Tres Palacios, paddle across the Tres Palacios to Palacios.  If paddling 
> in the Intracoastal was deemed to hazardous I could cross it into West Bay 
> and then paddle to Oyster Lake.
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