VERY IMPORTANT REMINDER!!!

Hey everyone,

I posted this in my Bolinas/HMB chrome hookup thread, but I feel it deserves repeating here for anyone who might not see it in that thread. I thought about posting it in the "safety first" section, but I think it might have a better chance of being seen here.

So here it is...

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE!!!!

There's an active discussion on Coastside Fishing Club right now, and us kayak anglers are the topic. Several power boaters have expressed serious concern about how we aren't especially visible in low light and high swell conditions. They have requested that we be extra diligent with hi-vis flags and lights, especially in low low visibility conditions.

Of course we are all allowed to make our own safety choices, but it's in everyone's best interest to avoid accidents at ALL costs. From now on, my kayak will be sporting a hi-vis flag clipped to my spare rod, and early mornings I plan to wear TWO headlamps; one facing forward, one facing backward.

Some PB's have a bit of a "salty" attitude about kayakers in "their" ocean, but the vast majority are friendly guys who are just as stoked as we are.

I just ask that we all do our part.

Let's keep the lines of communication between kayakers and PBs open. And let's all try to understand the limitations of our crafts.

For example, large PB's and commies with gear out CANNOT make quick turns. We must give them PLENTY of room to maneuver.

That is all.

Cheers,

Alex

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And thats how its done. Thanks for posting.

Nobody wins if an accident happens, but being run over by a PB is especially worse for a kayaker than a PB for the obvious reason.

During dark/foggy condition, I use this light (in the back of my PFD in addition to lights upfront and back).  BTW, don't use glow stick in Ocean, they are not bright enough.


http://www.austinkayak.com/products/14855/Ultimate-Survival-See-Me-Compact-LED-Steady-On-Rescue-Light.html

This is a good post, and I agree with the priority for safety.

But...  How many of these powerboaters run over crab buoys?  They all avoid crab buoys because the line attached could foul their prop and even disable their boat.

Our kayaks, for the most part, are like 100 times the size of a crab buoy...

Also, how many of these guys speed through low viz and swells without worrying about a log or other hazard in the water.  A fourteen and a half foot log that's almost 3 feet wide and has multiple masses protruding up from it (body, rod, net, crate...etc.) isn't that hard to see.

Again, safety is the priority, and cooperation is very important, but the powerboater community should acknowledge their part in this safety issue.

That bright orange safety flag probably won't make a difference if the guy on the throttle of the powerboat isn't being a responsible pilot.

Good post.

I use a flag with a light on top, but the pole is only about 4' tall. I always think it should be taller---like at least 6' so it'll stand out more in large swells. Just wondering if anybody has thoughts on the minimum height. 

This is a good post, and I agree with the priority for safety.

But...  How many of these powerboaters run over crab buoys?  They all avoid crab buoys because the line attached could foul their prop and even disable their boat.

Our kayaks, for the most part, are like 100 times the size of a crab buoy...

Also, how many of these guys speed through low viz and swells without worrying about a log or other hazard in the water.  A fourteen and a half foot log that's almost 3 feet wide and has multiple masses protruding up from it (body, rod, net, crate...etc.) isn't that hard to see.

Again, safety is the priority, and cooperation is very important, but the powerboater community should acknowledge their part in this safety issue.

That bright orange safety flag probably won't make a difference if the guy on the throttle of the powerboat isn't being a responsible pilot.

Eric - I made that exact point in the thread on Coastside. I brought up the fact that it is in the PB's BEST INTEREST to travel at speeds that allow them to see floating objects, whether they are kayakers or flotsam.

I've seen all kinds of shit floating around in the ocean. Wooden doors, whole downed trees, derelict crab gear... Hell, I've even seen a full-sized telephone pole floating in the water.




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In reality, they don't do a very good job of avoiding crab gear. During the overlap between salmon season and crab season, I see all kinds of reports from people fouling with crab gear. Most of them do it at trolling speed, but not all.


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Good post.

I use a flag with a light on top, but the pole is only about 4' tall. I always think it should be taller---like at least 6' so it'll stand out more in large swells. Just wondering if anybody has thoughts on the minimum height.

I don't have any "concrete" thoughts, but I'd guess the flag should be tall enough to be seen when you're in the trough of whatever size waves you kayak in. Six feet seems reasonable.

I made this flag out of Hi-vis cloth and reflective strips (actually I have to give my GF credit for the sewing...). I will attach it to the top of my spare rod using some of those nifty reusable rubber/wire twist ties.




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I've been nearly capsized several times from their wakes.

One time my buddy almost got run over when the driver put his boat on auto pilot and working his gear in the back and not paying attention. 

Very few of them understand us.   

Hopefully the thread on Coastside will spread some awareness.

We're out there, we're rapidly increasing in numbers, and we're here to stay.

The increase in numbers is what worries me. I hate to say it, but we've been very lucky to have so many close calls. Each of them could have gone south in a hurry...


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I agree. Wait.....did I just say that? I hope I am not catching liberalism. Also, a lot of kayaks now are made with colors that are meant to blend in. My son's new Nucanoe is a prime example. I want to get him a light pole with a flag, not just for salt, but in the delta too. Boats rip through there at dark wide open. We night fish too, and in addition to our headlamps, that pole with a light will be a good addition.

Thank you AlexB

I agree. Wait.....did I just say that? I hope I am not catching liberalism. Also, a lot of kayaks now are made with colors that are meant to blend in. My son's new Nucanoe is a prime example. I want to get him a light pole with a flag, not just for salt, but in the delta too. Boats rip through there at dark wide open. We night fish too, and in addition to our headlamps, that pole with a light will be a good addition.

Thank you AlexB

Haha! Careful... It's contagious. All it takes is that one "aha!" moment.

Light pole is a great idea, but the ones I've seen on the market aren't tall enough (IMHO).




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Hey everyone,

I posted this in my Bolinas/HMB chrome hookup thread, but I feel it deserves repeating here for anyone who might not see it in that thread. I thought about posting it in the "safety first" section, but I think it might have a better chance of being seen here.

So here it is...

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE!!!!

There's an active discussion on Coastside Fishing Club right now, and us kayak anglers are the topic. Several power boaters have expressed serious concern about how we aren't especially visible in low light and high swell conditions. They have requested that we be extra diligent with hi-vis flags and lights, especially in low low visibility conditions.

Of course we are all allowed to make our own safety choices, but it's in everyone's best interest to avoid accidents at ALL costs. From now on, my kayak will be sporting a hi-vis flag clipped to my spare rod, and early mornings I plan to wear TWO headlamps; one facing forward, one facing backward.

Some PB's have a bit of a "salty" attitude about kayakers in "their" ocean, but the vast majority are friendly guys who are just as stoked as we are.

I just ask that we all do our part.

Let's keep the lines of communication between kayakers and PBs open. And let's all try to understand the limitations of our crafts.

For example, large PB's and commies with gear out CANNOT make quick turns. We must give them PLENTY of room to maneuver.

That is all.

Cheers,

Alex

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


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The coastside thread even suggested radar deflectors. I wasn't  even sure what that was till I looked and I'm pretty sure the majority of kayakers don't either. I guess you could attach this to a flag
https://shop.hamiltonmarine.com/products/radar-reflector-emergency-gold-foil-over-foam-5879.html?gclid=CjwKEAjw97K_BRCwmNTK26iM-hMSJABrkNtbtlPotedeTgb0vWNr4iFxMdD_AbAS-DHfnN7qtZI2RBoCYrfw_wcB

I also felt the ones on the market aren't bright enough either.

Maybe this guy's on to something with his tinfoil hat....


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