Re: [Paddlewise] On lights

It's interesting that the marine patrols (presumably law enforcement) are
instructing people to do something that the Rules are pretty clear on.

Chesapeake Bay, as a body of water in which international trade is
conducted, would fall under the enforcment of the USCG and the USCG Inland
Rules of the Road (not state law) would prevail. The only place the USCG
Inland Rules specifically mention a vessel powered by "oars" is Rule 25
about night navigational lights. There are only two choices: a) red/green at
the bow with a stern light; and b) a lantern or flashlight. No mention of
"turn on a light and leave it on". I suppose it wouldn't be the first
instance of law enforcement officials misunderstanding the laws they're
supposed to enforce.

Still, putting a white light on the back of a PFD - as long as it's not too
bright - is probably not the worst thing you could do. The worst thing you
could do would be to put a red or green light on the back of your PFD, I
think. Or a strobe. It is, after all, 1/3 of the actual law.

In the event of an actual collision or incident you should be prepared to
tell the USCG investigating officers exactly who instructed your club to
show that light. Better yet, get the guys who told you this to sign a
document that tells you to do it. Otherwise, get some good liability
insurance.


Craig Jungers
Royal City, WA

On 8/3/07, Ralph Heimlich <heimlichfamily_at_comcast.net> wrote:
>
> Our club has had this discussion on our list /ad infi-night-em/ with no
> resolution in sight, day or night.
>
> If you are out paddling at night around here (Chesapeake Bay) the marine
> patrols will tell you to turn on "a light" and keep it on.  We usually
> do paddle with a single white light, usually mounted on the back of the
> pfd to avoid night blindness.
>
> Here's an experimental rig we tried around Christmas time
>
> http://picasaweb.google.com/ralph.heimlich/CPAHolidayParty2006/photo#5006956793055357474
>
> The blue ones were shocking, but the light-up Santa worked pretty well.
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