Laws regarding boats colliding with kayaks

[quikdrive]

Sorry if this is a repost. I came across this on the SOMD Paddlers facebook page.

I had no idea the laws were pretty thin. Makes me want to take extra steps on being more visiable on the water.

http://www.kayakfishmag.com/editors-...-by-powerboat/

[Yak Fish]

Sorry if this is a repost. I came across this on the SOMD Paddlers facebook page.

I had no idea the laws were pretty thin. Makes me want to take extra steps on being more visiable on the water.

http://www.kayakfishmag.com/editors-...-by-powerboat/

One of our members here was hit by a boat at a meet and greet. I think is was Dogfish. Since then, I have two whistles, a flag, and an air horn.

[KenY]

Safety must be your first concern when out on the water. Laws and rights of way mean nothing when you are sliced up by the prop or are dead. Do whatever you must to be visible. Be prepared to paddle like a mad man to get out of the way. Stay alert of your surroundings.

You can't bet your life on others doing the right thing.

[surfdog]

That's a pretty sad article. Do everything you can to be seen and heard. Flags, lights and horns also a pfd can't save you if you don't wear it. The best thing is a yellow or mango colored yak 10 times easier to see than sand or camo colored yaks.

[Shawn L]

Found this link on navigational rules as applied to kayaks.

http://www.smart-start-kayaking.com/...nal-Rules.html

[archeryrob]

I got to state someone running a power boat is not going to hear you blowing a whistle. Most power boats you can't hear anyone on the boat unless they are close to you.

Bright blade on you paddles help a lot. I also do not believe orange is the best color on the water. White or yellow is much more noticeable.

[reel-em-in]

Here's an interesting video on on water visability http://vimeo.com/29066467#at=0

[Runnin]

Powered vessels always have to give way to unpowered vessels. That isn't to say they always do. A drunk guy in a powerboat with bikini clad passengers may at times be distracted.

[wfauby]

In reality the Laws of Gross Tonage applies...a huge cargo ship cannot navigate away from the channel/another boat as quickly as a small boat can...but a kayak will always LOOSE the battle of Gross Tonage...Stay alert, power boaters are having too much fun to be concerned about the other guy...

[dsiekman]

In reality the Laws of Gross Tonage applies...a huge cargo ship cannot navigate away from the channel/another boat as quickly as a small boat can...but a kayak will always LOOSE the battle of Gross Tonage...Stay alert, power boaters are having too much fun to be concerned about the other guy...

You got that one right! I call that the Law of Self Preservation. It is amazing to me how many people disobey that law... I am reminded of the pack of cyclists who insist on riding winding roads at o'dark thirty in the middle of the lane. Do they have the right? Yes. Will that make being run over any less painful? No.

[DOGFISH]

I have written about this one before. This is the thread describing my collision. http://www.snaggedline.com/showthrea...ghlight=parker It can happen fast. I now carry an air horn and a flare gun. I have used the air horn several times on close calls, since the mishap. It seems best with the air horn. I don't think most boaters would hear a whistle. Wear and use the most visible colors available to you, including a flag. Be aware and keep a good lookout, which is your best defense. Regardless of any laws, it is too late once you are hit by a boat.

[dsiekman]

I have written about this one before. This is the thread describing my collision. http://www.snaggedline.com/showthrea...ghlight=parker It can happen fast. I now carry an air horn and a flare gun. I have used the air horn several times on close calls, since the mishap. It seems best with the air horn. I don't think most boaters would hear a whistle. Wear and use the most visible colors available to you, including a flag. Be aware and keep a good lookout, which is your best defense. Regardless of any laws, it is too late once you are hit by a boat.

Sorry, Don, I didn't mean to imply that you were at fault or not paying attention. I was just agreeing that sometimes people put themselves in bad situations.

As a side note, it was good meeting you today. Remind me to pick up an air horn when I come in to get that reel spooled up.

[DOGFISH]

I am more in agreement with you. Being alert is the best defense.

[justacanoe]

once while fishing the Georgian Bay with a top guide, I said it would be fun to get a canoe (or yak) on the weed edges and cast for Musky. He laughed and told me I'd get run over, (which ticked me off), so I said I'd have a flag on it, etc. and he said it would look pretty going under, and laughed, (which ticked me off more). he guided my Dad and myself to our first 50", my Dad our first day in the boat, me our third day in the boat on a follow-up trip (pushing 40lbs!), plus big northern, 32" Walleye, so the guy could fish, but what an attitude. at the same time, who savors tackling I-495/695 in a rickshaw with a bunch of 18-wheelers and ESL taxi drivers hard on your bumper? no matter how aesthetically superior you are, you might get squashed.

[justacanoe]

once while fishing the Georgian Bay with a top guide, I said it would be fun to get a canoe (or yak) on the weed edges and cast for Musky. He laughed and told me I'd get run over, (which ticked me off), so I said I'd have a flag on it, etc. and he said it would look pretty going under, and laughed, (which ticked me off more). he guided my Dad and myself to our first 50", my Dad our first day in the boat, me our third day in the boat on a follow-up trip (pushing 40lbs!), plus big northern, 32" Walleye, so the guy could fish, but what an attitude. at the same time, who savors tackling I-495/695 in a rickshaw with a bunch of 18-wheelers and ESL taxi drivers hard on your bumper? no matter how aesthetically superior you are, you might get squashed.