"DSK" wrote in message
...
....
I have to disagree with Rick's post above, a kayaker has little business in
the
shipping lanes to start with. In fog? WTF??

There are plenty of places to use small recreational craft such as kayaks,
sailing
dinks, etc etc, without getting in the way of shipping. In theory, one might
have
'every right' to do so. But in theory, you have the right to play tiddleywinks
on
the interstate. Try it some time.


I'm glad there are a few who agree with me. I believe Rick is thinking that
when I said kayaks don't belong there I was claiming that large vessels have a
right to run them down. I was never trying to imply that. In fact, my real pet
peeve is the sportfishermen that think because a ferry (with high quality radar
and a trained crew) can safely do 8 knots on a well known route, they are free
do 35 knots in the fog.

Aside from the foolishness of taking a small boat in a traffic in the fog, the
ColRegs are quite specific, in Rules 9 and 10, that they don't belong is some
places when they are unable to see or be seen by other vessels.

Further, I claim that Rule 2 also frowns on foolish behavior. In very simple
wording it requires everyone act in a seamanlike manner. This would include
staying out of the way of large ships, and also maintaining a extra slow speed
where small boats would frequent.

If you cruise in coastal Maine, you will frequently see sea kayaks with radar
reflectors on the stern, often on a short pole. However, the consensus is that
this is only partially effective - its worth doing for the times it helps, but
it isn't reliable enough to make it safe in channels. Fortunately, they
normally stay close to shore.