Friday, Stillwater North, The good, The bad, The ugly, and the Jerk??

Dale -

The better side of me makes me want to believe he didn't see you. I carry a flare gun and have almost had to use it a few times when PB's were heading right at me. Kayaks aren't visible on radar also unless you have a radar reflector.

Scott

Like I said originally maybe I missed something like that, like he didn't see me,

The water was FAC, the visibility was at least a mile, my yak is orange, they changed course and headed straight for me for a few hundred yards, then changed again and headed back on their course after I moved off the reef.

With that said I have made assumptions about peoples (bad) intentions before and been completely wrong,  in the end it wasn't a big deal.  Had I not moved from where I was though it would have been much more interesting.

dale

Thanks for the report, Dale.
Bummer about the PB - although it is a scary thing if they did not see you, it may be worse if that was intended as intimidation.

Yep, I have been "marked" by Gopher Rockfish, too. I thought they did that because they were scared of my big, ugly face! 

John

Nice day to hit it for your first time out....unbottoned Lings get me fired up for another hunt down. Thanks for the details and pics Dale......the broken down cart put must have been a PITA though.
Keep it up....andKEEPthatCAMERAhandy'er!

Dale -

The better side of me makes me want to believe he didn't see you. I carry a flare gun and have almost had to use it a few times when PB's were heading right at me. Kayaks aren't visible on radar also unless you have a radar reflector.

Scott

Like I said originally maybe I missed something like that, like he didn't see me,

The water was FAC, the visibility was at least a mile, my yak is orange, they changed course and headed straight for me for a few hundred yards, then changed again and headed back on their course after I moved off the reef.

With that said I have made assumptions about peoples (bad) intentions before and been completely wrong,  in the end it wasn't a big deal.  Had I not moved from where I was though it would have been much more interesting.

dale

I know what you mean, but none the less if you file a report and this guy has a history then he should be taken off the water. Or even if this is a new game to him it should be on record. It sounds pretty intentional, but if it's not then it probably wont be happening often enought to get them in trouble.

Dale -

The better side of me makes me want to believe he didn't see you. I carry a flare gun and have almost had to use it a few times when PB's were heading right at me. Kayaks aren't visible on radar also unless you have a radar reflector.

Scott

Like I said originally maybe I missed something like that, like he didn't see me,

The water was FAC, the visibility was at least a mile, my yak is orange, they changed course and headed straight for me for a few hundred yards, then changed again and headed back on their course after I moved off the reef.

With that said I have made assumptions about peoples (bad) intentions before and been completely wrong,  in the end it wasn't a big deal.  Had I not moved from where I was though it would have been much more interesting.

dale

Hi Dale,

Just want share my experience with you. I had the same thing at Bean Hollow. Last time I was there with Erick "Eyebay"  the Queen of Hearts  party boat from Half Moon Bay did it to me. It looks like the captain was just f....ing
with Us because we were way out his route when he suddenly change course to come directly to us, then I wait for a few seconds until I finally decide to move and wave my hand to them, then he stopped and turn around.... they were so close that I could see some guys sitting on the front of the boat laughing.....I was about to jump off the kayak.
Idiots are everywhere, even out there..... :smut003

Hi Dale,

Just want share my experience with you. I had the same thing at Bean Hollow. Last time I was there with Erick "Eyebay"  the Queen of Hearts  party boat from Half Moon Bay did it to me. It looks like the captain was just f....ing
with Us because we were way out his route when he suddenly change course to come directly to us, then I wait for a few seconds until I finally decide to move and wave my hand to them, then he stopped and turn around.... they were so close that I could see some guys sitting on the front of the boat laughing.....I was about to jump off the kayak.
Idiots are everywhere, even out there..... :smut003




[/quote]
so it sounds like the Queen of Hearts is playing this game too....we need to get some pics of them when they are in the distant...the time and date are inbedded into the pic...then as they get closer you just click away...then there is good documentation of the incident for the CG to handle....just wave and tell them to smile for the camera.....and be sure to report it.

...is that something that can be reported on the water, when it's happening, via VHF to the CoastGuard?....seems like a bonified "my life was in danger" situation.

I'm surprised to hear of the QoH issue...  I have paddled out and fished near her several times without incident.  That boat fishes that area a LOT and has a good reputation, I believe.

I hope it was just a misunderstanding?  Although if you were considering bailing out it must have been a close call...

Keep in mind those passengers could be laughing about anything, and you likely can't see the capt.  That's a rocky area so I'm sure he was looking out carefully.  Perhaps his idea of "personal space" is different than ours...  he's probably quite fine with maneuvering around heavy boat traffic....  and to us those boats probably look closer than they actually are, being right at water level...

Not making excuses...  just hoping for the best.

I'm thinking we need to find out what frequency he uses and initiate a rapport with QoH next time.

I've actually been offered the phone number of the owners of the boat,

and had a few suggestions on making reports,

all of which I'm going to pass on this time,

however, next time (if ever) I will remember to get the camera out....

I only know of the Q of H by reputation and it seems out of place for them to be playing that game, who knows,

dale

Dale -

I just asked the Coast Guard how to handle this in the future. They said to hail the vessel on VHF channel 16 which all boats are required to monitor and ask them to change course. This channel is also monitored by the Coast Guard so big brother is listening and can also respond.

Scott

....how would one start the hail?

...Hi I'm the guy in the yellow kayak at Bean Hollow, out about a 1/2 mile off-shore, I'm trying to contact a large vessel that is bearing down on me fast. I want to ask them to change direction before they swamp and/or run me over.
As you near, I'll have my CAMERA cocked&ready to shot. Thank you kindly.

QoH is pretty much recognizable, even from a distance.  And it's the only party boat that frequents the area, (although the Tigerfish hits that spot at times too).

I've emailed them to see what channel they normally use and will hail them next time just to say hi. 

LETcalmerHEADSprevail!! way to continue your NICE-GUY streak Eric.