Re: [Paddlewise] Kayaks and Visibility

Gliders have much the same problem as kayaks. Because most gliders are
fiberglass or even carbon fiber and their radar "footprint" is small due to
their small size and radical aerodynamics they are difficult to see on the
ATC screens. We can buy transponders which detect a radar signal and
immediately respond with encoded date which identify the glider and even the
altitude it's operating at.

However the frequencies these units operate at are not the same as ship
radar (which is typically 3cm and 10cm). Nevertheless, the technology is
there.

Kayakers could also conceivably mount an AIS transponder on their kayaks in
order to show a larger return.

Again, however, the problem is that no device will work unless the radar is
on, it's in tune, and someone is looking at it. For the boats most likely to
endanger a kayaker (e.g.: fast powerboats and fishing trawlers on autopilot)
the devices would not be very useful.

I still don't quite understand how local municipalities in OZ and NZ can
pass regulations directly in conflict with the ColRegs. I can see how they
might in the case of a lake or river which doesn't fall under international
rules. But for navigable waters the ColRegs are supposed to be the same
world-wide.

Maybe if you have a big enough bureaocracy anything can happen.

Craig Jungers
Moses Lake, WA

On Tue, Jun 23, 2009 at 3:03 PM, rebyl_kayak <
rebyl_kayak_at_energysustained.com> wrote:

> Peter Rattenbury wrote:
> >Peter:  You might be thinking of one of these for the Pittarak/Klepper,
> >http://www.survivalsafety.com/ <http://www.survivalsafety.com/>
>
> G'Day Peter,
>
> Good to hear from you again! Thats an interesting device though its not
> quite
> what I had in mind in that it alerts the paddler, rather than the ship with
> the radar transmitter.
>
> The thought I had was to actively echo back the radar pulse somewhat
> amplified
> so that the kayak could be seen on the larger ship's radar. For all I know
> this may be either impractical, or inappropriate as it could give a false
> impression on the radar screen of the larger ship. If it hasn't been
> thought
> of it might be worth exploring, though it would need to go through
> regulatory
> checks before being made available.
>
> All the best, PeterO
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