Fog, fleets, and safety (Open discussion)

We can be safe, we can be ready, and we can be good… But we can't control other people. We can't fix stupid.

Exactly.

Consider this:

Have you been there?  Out in the fog, miles from your launch, offshore?

Are we talking about ideals?  Or are we talking about whether we should be out there in the fog or not?

Ideally, we would have radar deflectors, flags, airhorns at the ready...etc.

In reality, we are focused on paddling and knowing our position.  If you're out of a port that you know it makes a huge difference in the meaning of this discussion.

I know Trinidad, and I've been 3 miles and more off the Head in fog.  I know HBO, and I've been 5 miles and more off the Jaws in fog.  I know the Cove, and I've been 3 to 4 miles out in the fog.  I've done Albion for 3 years and this year I got a good taste of it in fog.

When in the those situations I was extremely focused on 1) where I was 2) who was around me 3) anything at all that could deter me from a safe return to port. 

If you're in a situation where there are many more players in the field (powerboats) and there's any question about a safe route between you and port, then you're constantly prioritizing that.  That is, you place safety above fishing or anything else.  When you do that on a systematic basis it becomes no big deal to adjust to a higher degree of difficulty in a certain aspect of the trip - as long as you have the tools to deal with the urgency at hand.

If you're in fog and aren't familiar with your GPS and compass, then you've failed right there.

Bring the discussion to where you will get the most out of it.  Do you go there, and are you prepared?

Good stuff, guys. I feel like safety equipment for foggy conditions has been covered pretty well in this thread and others.

We've got things to make you visible:
-Lights if it's dark (check)
-Visibly colored PFDs (check)
-Flags (on my very short list of things to buy)
-Radar reflectors (need to look into this one)

Things to keep track of our position and navigate home:
-Fish finder w/chart plotter (check)
-Spare handheld GPS (check)
-Cell phone with Navionics (in Lifeproof case, on my person at all times)
-Compass (check) (ideally paired with a waterproof paper chart, not always check)

And things to communicate with others:
-Waterproof cell (check)
-Waterproof VHF (check)
-Light for signaling/flashing (bright ass headlamp, check)
-Air horn (check, but probably due for a replacement)

Moving away from safety equipment for a minute, let's talk about some tips and tricks for staying safe in the fog. Here are a few things I do.

-Be very aware of your surroundings. Look 360 degrees around you, frequently.

-Frequently stop pedaling/paddling for a moment and listen very carefully for boats. Are the chugging along at trolling speed, or cruising? Which way are they going? This is also a perfect time to watch your chart plotter to see which way the drift is pulling you.

-Make others aware of your presence. I like a casual... "Anyone out there want to help a kayaker out and tell me what depth you're hooking up near Dux buoy?" Or a... "Alex the kayaker here. Seeing lots of good bait about a mile off Rocky Point".

I STRICTLY avoid saying things like "I'm out here in a kayak, so watch out for me".

- If another boat passes by within view, give a friendly wave. Suddenly you're a friendly human being, not just some crazy F in a kayak (maybe a little of both).

-When boats come into view, check your chart plotter and make a mental note of which way they are trolling. Most fleets have some semblance of organization to the trolling direction; usually with or against the current, not across it.

-If I get a friendly response from a nearby PB, I might ask if they mind me tracking along beside them for a bit (at a safe distance of course).

-This one may sound counterintuitive, but in dense fog I prefer to stay in the fleet where boats are (generally) at trolling speed. Where will these boats go when they want to fire up the big engines and change spots? They'll go to the outside of the fleet. Anyone with radar (and a head that's screwed on properly) will slow down when they see a fleet of trolling boats.

These are just a few things that come to mind. What strategies do you use in the fog when other boats are likely near?

Bueller?.... Bueller?....

I have since learned that the guy in question is well known to be abrasive, argumentative, and generally unpleasant. He's been banned from Coastside several times.

Welp, there ya go. Another idiot PB'r. I had a six pack skipper SCREAM at me some years ago, about 1/2 mile offshore at Moss. I didn't belong out there with "the big boys."  I just laughed and told him I was already headed in with my limit.  Last laugh was on him when he later contacted me asking why he never got reports in my weekly fishing column in the newspaper.

Mostly, the reason was and I told him :  "You've never sent me a report.  But let's meet and have a cup of coffee first."  Never heard from him again.

So, my thoughts are GPS for sure. If my GPS wasn't working I probably wouldn't go out.  (Yes I would)  Compass.  Extra compass. VHF.  I'm not a flag guy and I think a radar reflector would be useless 99.9% of the time. Both are good ideas though.

An air horn is the best protection for foggy days.  And using your own ears.  I hear a boat approaching, esp if at any speed, you better believe I'm on my vhf on the local fishing channel  (11 here in Monterey Bay) advising any boaters in my area to keep their eyes open.  I don't care if they think I'm a kook, I will be a live kook.  Last ditch maneuver is to wave my paddle.

I took a maritime lawyer out fishing once and we discussed right-of-way.  He says, ultimately the operant concept is the "Law of Gross Tonnage."


Bushy

GPS for sure. If my GPS wasn't working I probably wouldn't go out.  (Yes I would)  Compass.  Extra compass. VHF. I'm not a flag guy and I think a radar reflector would be useless 99.9% of the time. Both are good ideas though.

ultimately the operant concept is the "Law of Gross Tonnage."


Bushy

Love it.  Bold highlighted part = me too.

The law of gross tonnage is similar in concept to the terrestrial rules of the road:  The cheaper car has the right of way.

You guys should try a flag sometime.  I have a new one that has a light on top that I can set to steady, slow flash, strobe, etc.

 

  After all that, did you hook up and land one? (Salmon)

Yes, I brought home a nice salmon and a black rockfish.

The law of gross tonnage is similar in concept to the terrestrial rules of the road:  The cheaper car has the right of way.

You guys should try a flag sometime.  I have a new one that has a light on top that I can set to steady, slow flash, strobe, etc.

I've been thinking about a flag since a trip to the cove earlier this year. The swells were pretty substantial and there were probably 4 or 5 kayakers on the water on the only one that I could see from even a short distance was one with a flag. And he could be seen from from a good distance. The nets just don't stand out like a flag does, and I really don't see any drawbacks as I'm sure the wind resistance is minimal.

The law of gross tonnage is similar in concept to the terrestrial rules of the road:  The cheaper car has the right of way.

You guys should try a flag sometime.  I have a new one that has a light on top that I can set to steady, slow flash, strobe, etc.

I've been thinking about a flag since a trip to the cove earlier this year. The swells were pretty substantial and there were probably 4 or 5 kayakers on the water on the only one that I could see from even a short distance was one with a flag. And he could be seen from from a good distance. The nets just don't stand out like a flag does, and I really don't see any drawbacks as I'm sure the wind resistance is minimal.

I carry an orange bandana in my dry bag.  I'll put it on my spare rod if it gets foggy and I want a little extra visibility.  I've had several commercial guys tell me they can see me on their radar in the fog so that feels good.  I think it's the large net that reflects the signal.  I'll be adding an air horn to my gear.

Josh

Thats a great profile pic, josh. I like the juxtaposition.

First gps my wife bought to make me safe, first time out w it, no compass, 4 miles straight out from Stinson, fog rolled between me and shore, no problem, fired up $600 worth of brand name electronics which gave logo, blinkered and died

As is common there mixed swell moving all directions including offshore so not a fun day

That was my first and last time being on the water sans compass

Similar experience, as fog rolled in I pulled out my compass and got a line on where my landing is, started paddling and soon realized the compass couldn't decide which way is north. Again mixed swell and nothing to go on, not a fun time. I kept that compass as a reminder

Second gps device lasted one or two trips and did the same as first, starting to think I have some kind of built in electromagnetic disturbance

Anyway might seem ridiculous but I carry minimum 3 compasses when I go offshore

I guess I don't like to head that far out, so I try not to go that far out. Personnel choice, envious of you guys who go out that far.

Earlier this year the salmon bite was good at HMB around the bouys.  Kayakers and PB were fishing close to each.  I noticed quite a few of the PB would leave their wheel house and work their gear.

I remember a grandfather with a child who did this.  I saw them heading straight towards my buddy who had his back behind them.  I called my buddy on the radio and got out of the way. 

Having a buddy system is must for any situation.