Keep yourself visible: nights without lights

This was posted in a Coastside fishing report, the situation was clearly not the boater's fault. Could've ended a lot worse.

These kayakers might have just been out to watch the moon but the situation points up the need to stay visible. That said the closest shave I have ever had with a boat was in broad daylight HMB with one of the sixpacks coming in full throttle.

After cleaning the last three fish we traveled home in flat seas at 20 knots. Once inside the bay the full moon was beautiful. I almost hit a kayak near Yellow Bluff that did not have any lights. After that I changed the range of the radar down to 1/4 miles and reduced my speed to 5 knots. A couple more "lightless" kayaks fortunately displayed on my radar and I avoided hitting them. I was surprised that my Furono radar was able to pick them up. Berthed the boat, flushed the engine, washed the boat and just arrived home. See you out there tomorrow. Sounds like there are fish everywhere along the Marin Coast. Go get em while the weather is good for the next few days!! Ed

I'm pretty sure that the rules are you need to have specific lights on any boat, including kayaks, when on the water at night

I'm pretty sure that the rules are you need to have specific lights on any boat, including kayaks, when on the water at night

I believe it's one white light for kayaks.

I'm pretty sure that the rules are you need to have specific lights on any boat, including kayaks, when on the water at night

I believe it's one white light for kayaks.

Does a headlight count, or do you need something that's fixed to the kayak?

I'm pretty sure that the rules are you need to have specific lights on any boat, including kayaks, when on the water at night

I believe it's one white light for kayaks.

Does a headlight count, or do you need something that's fixed to the kayak?

Rule is 360 degree white light.  doesn't have to be fixed to your kayak, but has to be seen from all angles.  In a quiet lake (not one where there's a lot of bass boats roaring around at night), a headlight might suffice, but I'd make sure you're visible on the ocean if you ever choose to paddle out at night.

Glow stick ziptied atop a safety flag/vizapole is what I do.

Boat traffic aside, paddling Yellow Bluff after dark sounds like a dangerous venture anyways. That tide rip is no joke.