Re: [Paddlewise] Air horns...

On 8/2/07, Michael Orchard <mspadorchard_at_comcast.net> wrote:
>
> All this talk about night paddline and lights.... it would seem to be that
> a
> white light readily available would be even more visible if accented by a
> small air horn that is also readily available... I am pretty sure that
> most
> other boats will look in the direction of an air horn, making the lantern
> FAR more likely to be seen.
>

This is an excellent idea but again, as in the lighting issue, the Rules of
the Road prescribe how you should use sound signals. Rule 33 deals with
kayaks (well, vessels under 12 meters). We do not have to carry a "whistle
and a bell" but we have to have some means of making an efficient (sound)
signal.

And not just any signal. Remember that the Rules of the Road were designed
to create a safe and effective means of communications for ships (mostly)
and tugs so there are also prescribed signals for passing, meeting, and -
which is what we all want to know - danger. Just because we are in a kayak
does not mean we aren't a "vessel" under USCG (or virtually any other
similar agency anywhere in the world) rules. Legally, we have to behave the
same as an Exxon tanker.

The international maritime sound signal for danger is five or more blasts of
the horn (or whistle). If you hear this signal while you are paddling you
should immediately look around to find out if it's directed at you and take
action to avoid the danger.

What this means to kayakers is that if you do have an air horn, just
tootling it a couple times is not sufficient (they might think you want to
pass starboard-to-starboard for instance); you must give 5 or more blasts on
your whistle or air horn. How you do this while still paddling like hell to
get out of the way is another question.

Will a powerboater or jet skier hear it? If he hears it will he understand
it? Maybe, but in either case you'll at least tried, by legal means, to
avert a collision.


Craig Jungers
Royal City, WA
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