Re: [Paddlewise] Radar, Kayaks and Visibility Study

On Mon, Jun 15, 2009 at 3:32 PM, Mike Euritt <mike.euritt_at_gmail.com> wrote:

>
> What I find most interesting is the radar discussion on the trawler and
> sailboat lists, which I paraphrased in my note. Here is an excellent report
> on learning the old school technology
> http://www.boatered.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=105837
>
> and, what is being promised with broadband
> http://www.lowrance.com/en/Products/Marine/Broadband-Radar/
>
> but, i still don't think it is of particular value as far as helping to see
> us kayakers.


If the guy who wrote the post in the first link (old school) can see two
seagulls flying past the stern of his boat underway then it might be
possible that they'll see kayakers. I, too, remain unconvinced. The least
likely tool that would be used to see a kayak is a radar set, in my opinion.


> That said, about 20 years ago a man I knew was killed on a
> small commercial fishing boat by being run over by a tanker/freighter.
> IIRC,
> it was heavy fog and just out the Golden Gate, had either one been
> monitoring radar, or with current technology, the AIS, one could have
> avoided the other.


The Exxon Valdez ran upon Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound with two radars
going, two people with merchant marine licenses (3rd mate and A/B - Exxon
had just fired their old A/B union and had hired all new deck crew straight
out of the merchant marine academies - they get a blue water A/B card with
their new 3rd mate's license) on the bridge, a buoy flashing red to
starboard (should be to port), and an island dead ahead.

You just can't legislate against stupidity.

Mike Euritt might find this link hady in his discourse on the trawler list:
http://books.google.com/books?id=nlIYDrgc1ncC&pg=PA221&lpg=PA221&dq=rules+of+the+road+radar+use&source=bl&ots=0cBcAyXP8I&sig=KHHSBB7kexIbF52rI3Q4EochXSU&hl=en&ei=ma43Sq70DZTAM_6n6IMN&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2#PPA225,M1

It's an excerpt from a book on Navigational Rules called "Farwell's Rules of
the Road" and is excellent.

I do think that broadband radar could make a difference but the problem
there is that it will take decades to filter down throughout the various
fleets. And even then they'll probably never be used on the boats I consider
the greatest threat: power boats on a plane doing 20kts or more. They will
be used in conjunction with very expensive plotters and cost US3k to US5k
which will be, in many cases, a significant percentage of the vessel's net
worth in the case of boats under 30 feet.

It is interesting that Australia requires nav lights on kayaks. These are
not required by the ColRegs to which Aus. is signatory.

The more pervasive the bureaucracy the more likely it is that it will enact
rules designed to make us safe. At least on paper. As kayaking's popularity
grows we can be assured that the Rules will change to keep us safe; and to
better ascribe blame.

There really is no simple answer for a paddler other than to keep alert,
stay away from places powered boats are likely to also go, use
retro-reflective (not just reflective) tape on paddles and gear, and hope
that the powerboat operator screaming down the waterway isn't stupid or
drunk; or both.

Not likely, in my experience.


Craig Jungers
Moses Lake, WA
www.nwkayaking.net
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