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Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board
Re: running lights, part deux
Posted By: FBC In Response To: Re: running lights, part deux (risto)
Date: Monday, 18 December 2000, at 5:29 p.m.
: As for part one I'd like to say that having those red and green sector lights
: will help the other fellow decide which side he should pass you on. You
: are moving slowly and just one white light will not tell others which way
: your bow is pointing. They would like to know this.: risto
I've been following this thread since it opened. It's a great topic to get into for night paddlers.
I think Risto has it right here. The main point is that when you follow the rules other skippers know what your speed, direction and relative bearing is because they recognize standard running lights (one hopes. Otherwise, they should be at home, not running at night).
As I read the regs and as Capt MH has said, kayaks have an option. Use a bright white light in order to avoid collision, and/or the red/green/white combination of a small craft under sail or power. I vote for "and" from the and/or above. If you are going to chose one, use standard running lights otehrs have discussed.
I navigate a fair amount at night in a bay that has traffic most of the time. I count on the red/green bow and white stern lights to estimate course and speed of other boats. The predictable combination of those running lights is important and vastly increases the chance that your boat will stand out against the shore lights. A single tricolor post light is second best and WAY preferable to a single white. I think the option of only carrying the flashlight to avoid collision is giving much to much faith in the oncoming skipper. There are a lot of folks out there who need all the notice you can give them. I've seen folks who seem to assume that the ocean is big, so there is nothing to run into at night unless it is a known shoreline or shoal.
Any ideas for rigging a set of running lights? I'm especially interested in how to package the battery on deck and in any brands of light that can take a dunking and keep on truckin'. I've used some marine flashlight style running lights and they work OK, but when they run low during a night paddle they can be a pain to fix.
FBC
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