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Kayak and Canoe Design Bulletin Board
Re: Questions about sea kayaking
Posted By: Andy Waddington In Response To: Re: Questions about sea kayaking (HenkA)
Date: Wednesday, 4 April 2007, at 5:25 p.m.
: So, the presence of other vessels that can save you made you decide to bring
: a VHF.It's much more the case that the presence of other vessels that could kill
me made me decide to bring a VHF. Kayaks are not highly visible and whilst
"keeping a watch" is mandatory, this may only be a radar watch, or may be
someone who is simply not looking for something as small as a kayak which
is unlikely to do his vessel any harm. A radio may at least attract their
attention to the fact that you are in the area and unable to travel fast
enough to get out of the way. It's no substitute for being aware of
shipping movements before crossing a traffic lane - but the VHF is good
for that, too - just radio the port authority and see if a 40-knot fast ferry
is about to leave Holyhead before you paddle across the harbour entrance ...I know a group of kayakers who were sat in their boats keeping their
distance from a commercial pier when the CalMac ferry started to reverse
towards them. Having no idea whether they had been seen, and it being
quite unclear in what direction the ferry was going to turn, they simply
called him up on VHF and asked him if he needed more space to turn. He was aware of the kayakers' presence as it turned out, but hadn't quite
appreciated how much his turbulent wake was going to affect them.Other groups I know have split into two parties so that weaker paddlers
may avoid a particular hazard or so stronger paddlers can take in an
extra island or two. Then the VHF is indeed a walkie-talkie, enabling the
groups to arrive at the same campsite later in the day.And finally, a VHF is quite handy for listening to the coastguard radio
giving a weather forecast - a sensible precaution on any long trip.The fact that a VHF can be used to call a rescue is a minor consideration -
it can be used much more effectively to avoid needing one.Now flares - that's a different kettle of fish - there are fewer uses for flares apart from calling for assistance :-)
Andy
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