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Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board
Re: Red flasher not in rules = OK to use?
Posted By: M.Hamilton In Response To: Re: Red flasher not in rules = OK to use? (M.Hamilton)
Date: Friday, 15 December 2000, at 9:31 p.m.
Mike, (not mick) sorry to get so angry, but the last thing I want to say on this subject is that I have been kayaking for years with some 7k miles in a kayak. I've been an instructor and product tester for a good deal of that time. So I'm not a powerboater who hates paddlers, I'm a very avid paddler who also happens to be a licensed Master. As I said before I'm no better that any of ya'll, but I take on the water responsibility very seriously. I will tell you that after one month of Nautical School preparing for my license exams, and subsequent license I am now not only a far more aware and courteous boater, but also kayaker. During that month I was in class with folks going for all tonnage level certs., ex USCG surf boat operators, Tug boaters, Ferries folks, etc. I did not tell any of them that I was a kayaker because they despised kayakers and small sailboaters, and I wanted to get along = path of least resistance. When you hear their stories you understand why. It seems for some strange reason kayakers and novice sailors somehow see themselves as different from other boaters. Don't know if it's a purity thing or not, but I have to say that other than the drunks in power boats I have to agree. This Spring I watched a small sailboat under power cross within 1/4 mile of an oil tanker under tug assist with a pilot on the bridge as well I'm sure. The pilot was ON THE HORN!!! and the tugs were pulling hard against the ships momentum to try to avoid a collision. I'm sure that pilot had a laundry problem. As the little boat approached Washington Park I paddled out and politely chatted with the guy. His reply was "That SOB almost hit me. I'm a sailing vessel and I have right of way. He was not a sailing vessel, as his engine was running, and even if he was he still had no right of way what so ever. I didn't even bother trying to explain. I have tried on this page, as I care about fellow paddlers and the reputation of our sport. I'll never profess to know it all, but I would encourage you and all here to educate yourself to the rules, and not perpetuate the elitist do our own thing appraoch. Again sorry for the previous angry post. Good night.
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