death wish kayaker

[Home Cookin']

Last night while getting ready to come through the channel under a bridge (6 lanes wide) I noticed a ripple across the other side. Looked closer, and saw it was a dark green open kayak (maybe closer to a canoe or poke boat) being rowed by a guy in a dark coat and hat. The only light-colored object was his big yellow lab. No. Lights. Anywhere.
It was about 9:00 pm. There were several boats out fishing and moving around the bridge, from 14' to 28'. There are a lot of lights around but also a lot of shadow; ironically the lights make it harder to see something on the surface.
Now, lots of people around here successfully kayak fish even for large game fish (one guy routinely plies the mouth of the Chesapeak Bay for 60# drum in an 8' yak. but he knows what he's doing and he is all equipped). Lots go at night, too, but with lights and reflector gear.
he was at risk of being hit even by a safe and sober boater. And around here, at night in the fall/winter, all sorts of crazies come out for stripers--more than a Labor Day weekend. Why the needless risk for a fish?

 

[wajajaja02]

Re: death wish kayaker

I would radioed out a warning of his location, maybe a patrol boat would have a chat with him.

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: death wish kayaker

Imagine, July 4th 200+ boats out in the Gulf, partying all day and into the evening all waiting for the city fireworks to be launched of a nearby pier. There are two pass's one north one south boat a couple miles run.

The fireworks end and everyone simultaneously takes off in a drag race to the nearest pass. I left before the mad rush before the fireworks ended (as always). As I was crusing north in the dark what doe I see in front of me? At least two kyaks paddeling toward shore directly in my path and soon to be in the path of 100 partied out boaters. No running lights, No flashlights no nothing!!

I also see them all the time paddling in the pass, right in the middle of the channel!

I checked the paper on the 5th. No boating fatalties. I was acutally surprised. These kyaks gotta realize their not boats.

 

[snake eater]

Re: death wish kayaker

Thats ridiculous!!! I am nervous at night in my kayak even with lights and reflectors and a big horn, he'll be on the news one day, then it will be no more kayak-ers at night.

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: death wish kayaker

QUOTE: THESE KAYAKS GOTTA REALIZE THEIR NOT BOATS.

Hmmm, didn't realize kayaks weren't boats.

EVERYONE has a right to be on the water regardless of the size of their craft.
But, stupid comes in all sizes. Aren't all watercraft required to have lights after dark? Don't condemn everyone in small boats. These idiots would be idiots in a big boat too. Is my little 9.8hp 16' jon boat not a boat?
What exactly is YOUR definition of a boat?

 

[Knightgang]

Re: death wish kayaker

Mama always said, stupid is as stupid does...

Kayaks are boats, and should follow the lighting rules as everyone else...

 

[snake eater]

Re: death wish kayaker

Kayaks are great boats! but need lights just like everything else at night.

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: death wish kayaker

Do you believe a kyak has a place in a busy channel with other large craft?

Having a "right" to be on the water and being a hazard to navigation are completely different things. No one has a "right" to jepordise the saftey of other vessles because they feel they have the right to be where they are when they are.

They may have the right, but being dead right is a bad option.

Dont get me wrong, I like kyaks. They look like fun but if your in a kyak operating in waters with other baots you need to act like a real boat. That includes having navigation lights, and operating like boat. Most kyaks I see like to have it both ways, they want to pretend there real boats and cruse in the channels but they dont follow the rules of the water. If you want to be treated like a real boat act like one.

 

[Thad]

Re: death wish kayaker

As to the original post;
Yes, he should have been more aware and observant for his own safety as well as others. Without proper lights and gear he had no right to be there.

But that is where it stops.

Now to the other replies as to who or what can/should or can't/should not be on the water and when.

Any vessel, be it a kayak or a large cruiser has the right to be on the water if they are "legal".
You need to remember the section of the boating regs that inform you of who has the right of way on the water. Not who has the right to be on the water.
There is another reg we need to remember, operating a boat under the influence.
Partying all day and "drag racing" back to the launch is bad whether or not there are small non-powered boat in front of them.

I would not dare to be out in those conditions knowing the possible outcome. I have seen too much to trust the other person. But, that is me. To each his own, I suppose.

I wonder if a boat of 16' or 18' has the "right" to be on the water with a bunch of 28'+ twin engine boats? They could just as easily be run over or cause a hazzard. Compare how you wish. But there is always someone bigger, or one with another view point. It is OUR water and WE ALL need to share and be considerate of others regardless of what they are in.

I'll climb down now.:redface:

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: death wish kayaker

Actually the law on Kayaks' lights is a little odd; they have to have one on board but do not have to display it at all times, just be ready to if a boat approaches. But they should, regardless; that's a no brainer.

There's no point in discussing who has a "right" to this and that. You have a right to drive on New Year's Eve, ride a bicycle in heavy traffic or to go out in a jon boat in a gale. Just like the discussion on barges v. boats, there's the "right of weight" that comes into play, as well as common sense. It is fatally arrogant to kayak in the dark in the middle of a busy channel with partiers streaming by. Indeed, I believe that small boats who can operate out of the channel ought to do so.

I think the kayak fishermen are awesome--like bow hunters are to general hunting. But I'm speaking of the ones who know what they are doing, are well-equipped and safe.

All boating is risky, but stupidity doesn't count.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: death wish kayaker

Meanwhile, the next day and about 10 miles away in the mouth of the bay*, a fisherman encountered a swamped 2 man kayak with 4 stripers and fishing gear but no people. Called USCG. Found out later that it turns out the guy was fished out from under a bridge** but his yak was caught under it; must have gotten pinned by current and rolled, then the yak got loose later. Note: fish limit is 2.

*Chesapeake Bay between HRBT and CBBT
**Lesner Bridge (Lynnhaven)

 

[bassman284]

Re: death wish kayaker

REminds me of a dittie from way back, applies to most highway bicylists as well:

This is the grave of Mike O'Day
Who died maintaining his right of way.
He was right, dead right, as he sped along,
But he's just as dead as if he'd been wrong

 

[Knightgang]

Re: death wish kayaker

REminds me of a dittie from way back, applies to most highway bicylists as well:

This is the grave of Mike O'Day
Who died maintaining his right of way.
He was right, dead right, as he sped along,
But he's just as dead as if he'd been wrong

Oldie but goodie...

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: death wish kayaker

Do you believe a kyak has a place in a busy channel with other large craft?

Having a "right" to be on the water and being a hazard to navigation are completely different things. No one has a "right" to jepordise the saftey of other vessles because they feel they have the right to be where they are when they are.

They may have the right, but being dead right is a bad option.

Dont get me wrong, I like kyaks. They look like fun but if your in a kyak operating in waters with other baots you need to act like a real boat. That includes having navigation lights, and operating like boat. Most kyaks I see like to have it both ways, they want to pretend there real boats and cruse in the channels but they dont follow the rules of the water. If you want to be treated like a real boat act like one.

NO, I personally would not do this. A small boat without power surrounded by big boats with power is not a good scenario. Like someone else said this is comparable to bicycle's. They probably all own car's but when they are on their bicycle's they do not obey the rules's of the road.

Point well taken, I'm not in the same enviroment as you, I primarily boat on lakes that do not have boats bigger then me. I think I kind of stepped out of bounds here, cause where I boat it is not even close to what your describing.:redface:

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: death wish kayaker

Meanwhile, it looks like we have 3 kayak incidents on two weekdays/nights. The guy caught under the bridge was one. There was another kayak caught under the same bridge nearby. The swamped kayak adrift in the bay was the third--but not the same. That night, though, two guys were seen fishing in the same type kayak.
Anytime new toys become popular, inexperienced people will underestimate the dangers (and required skills). Kayaks are the new jet ski or bowrider.

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: death wish kayaker

NO, I personally would not do this. A small boat without power surrounded by big boats with power is not a good scenario. Like someone else said this is comparable to bicycle's. They probably all own car's but when they are on their bicycle's they do not obey the rules's of the road.

Point well taken, I'm not in the same enviroment as you, I primarily boat on lakes that do not have boats bigger then me. I think I kind of stepped out of bounds here, cause where I boat it is not even close to what your describing.:redface:

Interesting comparision to bicycles. I both small boat and bicycle. Totally different set of rules.

Bikes... With the exception of limited access highways (interstates) bikes have exactly the same set of rules and responsibilities. Bikes are generally illegal on the sidewalk. Years ago my mom (who was mildly handicapped) got a ticket for riding on the sidewalk. There are no legal allowances for manuverability.

Boats... similar rules, but the vehicle with the best manuverability has the right of way.

In both cases, pushing your legal "right-of-way" is just plain stupid and can result in fatal. Boats are even worse, because you add the potential of drowning.

TerryMSU

 

[soggy_feet]

Re: death wish kayaker

Lights... thought those were optional, on any size boat. Thats what it seems to be around here.

Couple occasions this summer, 2 incidences in one night even.. where I almost cut boats in half.

Once was a kayak with no lights just after dark, and the 2 in one night thing was a small motorboat anchored/adrift in the middle of the bay without any lights, the other was a sailboat. They DID have a small candle on deck.. I think I interrupted a candlelit dinner.

The motorboat shouted and scrambled to put up an anchor light as I was 30-40 feet away on a collision course, the sailboat got lucky that I knew that boats anchored often without lights in some nearby coves, and so I was swinging my spotlight around a lot. Actually, I counted about 15 boats anchored around those little coves with no lights that night.

I was piloting a 15,000 steel hulled houseboat, with the bow lit up with 5-6 people talking/laughing. I was probably moving 5mph. Plenty of noise and time for people to take notice of me and at least shine a spotlight in my direction if they didn't have working anchor/nav lights.

I'd have felt bad if I split someones fiberglass boat in half, I'd have felt worse about the scratched paint on my bow, and everyones spilled drinks on my boat.

The lights are on there for a reason...

 

[Fly Rod]

Re: death wish kayaker

You have to be alert at all times. People do foolish things out on the water and one of them no matter what waters you are on there is always a couple of nuts running without lights. Every vessel from a big one to a dinghy is suppose to have at least a white light As the size of the vessel length more needs to be added. I went by three of them little turds in one night that had no light of any kind.

 

[Bart Sr.]

Re: death wish kayaker

Other boats w/o lights is the reason I don't boat after dark.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: death wish kayaker

I keep a couple extra cheap-o flash lights to hand out to the un lighted- I have no problem spotlighting un lit boats with hand held 2million CandlePower spot light.- I'll pull along side and ask them if they want a flash light. some have lights but do not use them- some are a-holes saying mind my own bizz- but I have given a couple away. they were sail boaters and would shine the light on the sails -it worked pretty well.
i have seen a few un lit kayaks but most have thier proper gear out. - my buddy had no light for his little sail boat so he duct taped the bottom 3inches of a clear plastic water bottle over a good flashlight and hung it from the boom.