360 white light....

Something to consider for anyone thinking about paddling at night. I had a long discussion with my local West Marine salesman regarding lights for running at night on a kayak and I came to two conclusions.

1. The Scotty Sea-light I purchased isn't quite going to cut it. See the link for the exact item. http://www.clavey.com/ky_acc_fish_sea_light.html
Now I'm not bashing Clavey or Scotty the light will be just fine now with a minor modification. At 20" tall give or take a couple of inches for mounting etc., this light if mounted behind me so as not to mess with my night vision isn't tall enough to broadcast light 360 degrees - which doesn't satisfy the USCG requirements. So I went down to the hardware store and bought me a piece of 3/4 aluminum tubing (it slips right over the white shaft) from the Scotty light. I drilled out the pop rivet holding the light holder to the shaft, then I inserted the original white shaft into the aluminum tube and drilled holes to pop rivet the two shafts together. Fit the light holder onto the aluminum tube drilled a new hole to pop rivet the holder to the aluminum tube and now I've got that light far enough above my head to truly have 360 degrees of light.

2. Has two parts.
2a. It seems that a kayak at night "while moving" needs the standard red and green running lights. I can't say that for sure. My next step it to contact the USCG direct to find out. My problem is if running the red an green you might make another boater think you were powered and more able to move than you really are -  it could be a disaster in the making.
2b. Assuming that the red/green running lights are required. Every set of portable or non wired red/green running lights I have come across doesn't have a seperation between the red and green lights. Which means you can see a red and green light from a direction other than directly forward which means you would be illegal as the lights go and potentially creating a problem for yourself. You should only be able to see both red and green lights if heading directly at a boat. So now I'm thinking if running lights are required; that mounting a powered version like any other boat would use with a switch near the cockpit to make turning on and off the running lights easier might be the ticket.

I guess my point is that it may seem like you are legal from the products you have purchased but if the product itself was never legal you maybe heading for a fine without ever even knowing it. And these days it seem like kayakers are getting as much attention from the USCG as anyone else.


Jeff

At 20" tall give or take a couple of inches for mounting etc., this light if mounted behind me so as not to mess with my night vision isn't tall enough to broadcast light 360 degrees - which doesn't satisfy the USCG requirements.

 I agree.  I always thought it would be better to have the light higher up, so it could be seen better is the swell.  I wanted to find a small, but bright white LED light that I simply could hang from the tip of an extra fishing rod or sabiki pole.

I duct tape two large glow sticks on my bicycle flag pole for visibilty. The nice thing about those flag poles is the they tend to sway even with the slightest movement.

I also use an LED head lamp.

It's my understanding that the red & green running lights on some regular boats are visable from just a little over 90 deg abreast to head on.  I can see how having lights that are visable from all directions can cause some confusion to other boaters.   I've seen the lights for sale, but never really though about how they would look or functionallity.
   I can't see myself doing any night kayaking for some time, so I won't be worring about it much after this post.

So, nothing like a somewhat contentious first post on a forum, but here goes...

Just who is interpreting that a kayak needs running lights for operating at night? Up until I read this thread, my interpretation has been that a kayaker needed a white light for signalling. And that's all. Never been ticketed, and talked to boat based LEO's on more than one occasion while on the water at night. This is in the SF bay, as well as on inland waters.

See http://www.boat-ed.com/ca/course/p4-9_navlights.htm

That said, I'm all for a good white light mounted as high as convenient. I use a battery/LED light stick mounted to the back of my PFD, as well as a flashlight for signalling.  But 4  tall foot light mounts and boats that are going to spend some of the time upside down, just don't mix. The regulations take this into account. At least, I think they do...

Regards,
Scott

Hey Scott I think you are right on the requirements with one exception I just noticed, when moored all vessels need a 360 white light. I would read this as if I was anchored up at night I would need a 360 degree white light.

I carry chemical light sticks in the pouch on my back rest.  They weigh a few ounces and take very little space.  Every Halloween I buy a bag of 25 at Walmart for less than five bucks.   The bag contains red green and white. My experience is that they seem to last for at least one year.  I throw them out if I haven't used them in a year.  Just to be safe, write the date on each light with a Sharpie pen.  I do not suggest using them as required lighting,  I keep them in case I get caught out at night without other lighting.

They work well as a night light in a tent or camper.  I also use a red one on the rear of my yak when I haul it sticking out of my truck at night.

Read your post.  Not sure if this will work, since I have only seen the picture, but this light looks perfect of any kayak.  However, I'm going only by the picture.  It looks like the answer to all kayakers prayers regarding a nav light that meets Coast Guard regs with true red/green separation, and also functions as a light that another boater could see.   I think you would still need a white lite at stern visible from 360 degrees.  I found it at the wally world website under kayak products.   here is the link.   http://www.walmart.com/ip/LED-BI-COLOR-BOW-LIGHT-WH/11071198#ProductDetail

Here's some stuff off the US Coast Guard site.

DEFINITIONS
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/mwv/navrules/rules/Rule21.htm

VISIBILITY OF LIGHTS
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/mwv/navrules/rules/Rule22.htm
Of special note is section d)
d)     In inconspicuous, partly submerged vessels or objects being towed;
a white all-round light; 3 miles.

Would this include kayaks?

SAILING VESSELS UNDERWAY AND VESSELS UNDER OARS
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/mwv/navrules/rules/Rule25.htm
Of note is section d, second part.
A vessel under oars may exhibit the lights prescribed in this rule for sailing vessels, but if she does not, she shall have ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision.
With an example.
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/mwv/navrules/pops/nr_25dii.htm

From this info I think at most we need a 360 white light and at least a flash light.

It also seems that all boats are female.

Pete

http://www.boat-ed.com/ca/course/p4-9_navlights.htm