Joe Pylka wrote:

wrote

No, its to be a directional light.

Does the white light have to cover 360 degrees?



In Pennsylvania the Fish & Boating rules say it should be an
omnidirectional light.

Not according to the boating manual at:
http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/Fish_Boat/
Chapter 4 gives the night lighting requirements and for small sailboats
(7m) and all human-powered the requirement is a "white light either
hand-held or installed ready to be displayed in time to avoid a
collision." Figures 7A and B apply and show a person holding a light.

There is no requirement listed that the light be omnidirectional. A
reasonable flashlight meets the requirements. That's not to deny that
in some circumstances it might be wise to exceed the minimum requirements.

--Also true in places in NJ such as Round Valley
Reservoir.

I recall the NJ rules being similar to those of Pennsylvania referenced
above. Do you have any documentation of additional rules for RVR - I
certainly got no complaints when kayaking there after dark.

How confident are you that you know for sure where the boat
that's going to hit you is coming from, so you can point your light toward
it?

Depends on the circumstances. I frequently put one of my bicycle LED
tail-lights set to show a steady red light behind me when kayaking alone
or if at the back of a group.

There may be a difference between the rules for inland waterways which
are controlled by the state and Coast Guard controlled waters. It's that
way up here in NH. The state requires an omnidirectional light inland,
but it's not required on the coast.

In Pennsylvania the Fish & Boating rules say it should be an
omnidirectional light.

Not according to the boating manual
There is no requirement listed that the light be omnidirectional. A
reasonable flashlight meets the requirements. That's not to deny that
in some circumstances it might be wise to exceed the minimum requirements.

OK -- change "should be" to "could be" in my statement.

I recall the NJ rules being similar to those of Pennsylvania referenced
above. Do you have any documentation of additional rules for RVR - I
certainly got no complaints when kayaking there after dark.

Only verbal discussions with state personnel stationed there. Also in a
presentation they did a coupla years ago at the Round Valley Roundup. They
did also suggest (see another message in this thread) that sound signalling
devices were also a very good idea because it gets the other boats'
attention and also because it's a wise thing to have on foggy nights.

Be careful of the safety blaster horns. When the membrane gets wet, they don't
work. You can flick the water off it, but that takes a few more seconds
(several flicks).

Brian Blankinship

Blankibr wrote:
Be careful of the safety blaster horns. When the membrane gets wet, they don't
work. You can flick the water off it, but that takes a few more seconds
(several flicks).

I carry mine in a PFD pocket where it gets soaked all the time and it's
never failed to work. I do carry it with the open end down, so it
doesn't fill with water. Perhaps that's the actual issue?

Blankibr wrote:
Be careful of the safety blaster horns. When the membrane gets wet, they
don't
work. You can flick the water off it, but that takes a few more seconds
(several flicks).

I carry mine in a PFD pocket where it gets soaked all the time and it's
never failed to work. I do carry it with the open end down, so it
doesn't fill with water. Perhaps that's the actual issue?

Perhaps so. I carry mine on the deck. Mine also is missing the "exit end."
Someone ran over my kayak in his and broke that part off.

Brian B