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From: Jane & Erik Sprenne <sprenne_at_netnitco.net>
subject: [Paddlewise] Fw: How to ruin a perfectly good paddling day...
Date: Mon, 30 Jul 2007 23:10:19 -0500
> Craig Jungers wrote:
>> most responders are indicating that a kayak must display a light visible 
>> for two miles. Perhaps this is state law. It's not US law and as far as I 
>> know most state laws mimic the US laws in this regard.

Michael Daly replied:
> I don't know the laws of your country in any great detail, but according 
> to Chapman (Piloting, Seamanship & Small Boat Handling) it is US law 
> (Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971 according to my 1975 edition).  That's 
> where I learned it formally decades ago.
>
> I don't know whether this applies to lakes.  I know in Canada, national 
> marine law applies to all "navigable waterways."  The administration of 
> the law is delegated from CG to provincial police to municipal police as 
> appropriate.


In my '89 edition of Chapman, it states: "Small boat propelled by oars may 
show the lights of a sailboat, or have handy an electric flashlight or 
lighted lantern to show to prevent a collision."
The sailboat rule for boats less than 7m states: "...should carry normal 
sidelights and sternlight; but if this is not possible, it is sufficient to 
have and electric flashlight or lighted lantern ready at hand to be shown in 
time to prevent a collision."

Erik Sprenne
southern end of Lake Michigan 
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