sound making device

[Southerly]

i was stopped by NRP who asked if i had a sound-making device (not sure that was exact words). After the one fellow getting ran over by a powerboat last year, i've been carrying an air horn in my nearest cupholder so that was not a problem. my fishing license was also requested, and also not a problem.



but the question is - is every kayaker required by regulation to have a sound-producing device?


common sense aside - i have been under the impression that only thing required is to have a properly-rated pfd on board, and at nighttime to be able to produce a light such as a flashlight,...

otherwise, i think wearing the pfd, and having an air horn at hand all times; and using a 360 light and also having flashlight to wave around at night if needed to get attention, is sensible.

[Redfish12]

I believe a whistle meets the requirement but the fog horn is not a bad idea!

[Slackdaddy]

Sooo, the DNR (and others) thinks that a guy with 12 beers in him, watching a set of bikini boobs bouncing around next to him,, is gonna hear a horn over a olds 350 with open headers ??

[jet]

i was asked the same thing when i was stopped a few years ago. i did have a whistle on me, but he didnt ask to see it, just if i had one

[DOGFISH]

Its the law. I now carry an air horn and a flare gun, of my own choice. However, a boat can change course so fast. There may not be much of a chance of getting the skipper's attention. You really have to keep an eye out for boats. I never used to give it a second thought.

A whistle will satisfy the rule.

[jsquare]

Its the law. I now carry an air horn and a flare gun, of my own choice. However, a boat can change course so fast. There may not be much of a chance of getting the skipper's attention. You really have to keep an eye out for boats. I never used to give it a second thought.

A whistle will satisfy the rule.

If the air horn doesn't get the next quy's attention, a flare in the forehead might. In all seriousness I hope you don't have to use either. I did not like reading that story last year and don't want a repeat.

[HJS]

I've been checked twice on the Middle Branch Patapsco near the HH, both times during the winter. I was using my Oldtown canoe with trolling motor. Both times the DNR Police lady ask to see my sound-making devise. I pointed to a little red whistle (sold as a boaters whistle) clipped to my fishing bag and she was satisfied. Good thing I didn't have to demonstrate, I think I can yell louder.

Last winter I was checked at HH. I didn't have either my brand new current registration stick on my canoe nor did I have my new fishing license on my person, both were home. While at boat-side she used her boat radio to call DNR-NPR headquarters to check if indeed I had both. I heard the reply that I had acquired both and was completely legal, except I didn't have them with me. I got off with a written warning and a tsk-tsk-tsk and she sent me on my way. I must add she was very polite and efficient.

[Bluegill]

Something I have often thought when someone gets a DUI/DWI everyone wants to disable the car with a blow and go or similar device but nothing is done about boats that I'm aware of . Makes you wonder how many drunk people with suspended license are riding around in boats just saying.

[J.A. Veil]

I have a loud metal tubular whistle attached to the zipper pull of my PFD. I have never needed it for an emergency, but did use it once to get the attention of a fishing buddy a hundred yards away.

[jsquare]

If you carry flares make sure they are not expired. They usually have a 3 year shelf life, and they are definitely not guaranteed to go off after that expiration date. I have heard rumors of people getting ticketed for having expired flares, though I am not sure if that is true.

[J.A. Veil]

If you carry flares make sure they are not expired. They usually have a 3 year shelf life, and they are definitely not guaranteed to go off after that expiration date. I have heard rumors of people getting ticketed for having expired flares, though I am not sure if that is true.

If you operate a power boat of >16', you need to carry flares that are newer than the expiration date. The DNR police or Coast Guard can ticket you if you have no flares, or only have flares that are out of date. There is no legal reason for avoiding out-of-date flares that you carry as extra flares in addition to ones that are in date.

For a vessel not requiring flares (e.g., kayak) carrying expired flares would not bring you a ticket, but as you point out, they may no longer work. I think this is accurate information.