kayaking at night…silly question.

[smokeycretin9]

What if any are the rules or laws about kayaking at night on Puget Sound or local lakes? I am having a hard time finding anything about it.

Thanks

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[wakeflood]

I know of no specific regulations that apply to non-motorized craft and are different from standard boat practices.

One might suggest that having similar lighting to other small craft would be recommended – they make detachable red/green bow lights, I believe. Or possibly helmet mountable ones?

Either way, lighting would be my first priority.

Everything else pertains to basic boating safety and right of way issues that you already execute during day trips.

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[wakeflood]

Which, come to think of it, would include having the emergency kit elements that pertain to non-motorized craft, handy. Basically, a handheld two way radio, flares, and air horn. (The standard fire extinguisher being somewhat superfluous. ;-)

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[B-squared]

If you don’t mind, reply back what you learn about kayaking at night. i’ve always wanted so it would be good to know. thx.

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[hoffanimal]

You definitely need fore and aft lights, like any other vessel. I row in the morning before dawn and use these – http://goo.gl/22CWTk – white on the stern, colored on the bow. The suction cup model works well on most hard surfaces.

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[herongrrrl]

I asked my partner, who is a certified Coast Guard navigation instructor, to respond to your question, and here is his response. Hope this helps!

NAVIGATION RULES

INTERNATIONAL—INLAND

(Puget Sound, Hood Canal, the Duwamish Waterway, Lake Union, Lake Washington and the Ship Canal are all “International”)

Rule 9

Narrow Channels

(b) A vessel of less than 20 meters in length or a sailing vessel shall

not impede the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only

within a narrow channel or fairway.

Rule 10

Traffic Separation Schemes

(j) A vessel of less than 20 meters in length or a sailing vessel shall

not impede the safe passage of a power-driven vessel following a traffic

lane.

Rule 18

Responsibilities Between Vessels

(b) A sailing vessel (or vessel under oar or paddle) underway shall keep out of the way of:

(i) a vessel not under command;

(ii) a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver;

(iii) a vessel engaged in fishing. (Meaning a commercial trawler or gill-netter, NOT some guy in a Bayliner with a rod and reel and a keg of Budweiser).

Rule 25

Sailing Vessels Underway and Vessels Under Oars (or paddles)

(a) A sailing vessel underway shall exhibit:

(i) sidelights;

(ii) a sternlight.

(b) In a sailing vessel of less than 20 meters in length the lights

prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule may be combined in one lantern

carried at or near the top of the mast where it can best be seen.

(d) (i) A sailing vessel of less than 7 meters in length shall, if

practicable, exhibit the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) or (b) of

this Rule, but if she does not, she shall have ready at hand an

electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light which shall be

exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision.

(ii) A vessel under oars (or paddles) may exhibit the lights prescribed in this

Rule for sailing vessels, but if she does not, she shall have ready

at hand an electric torch (flashlight) or lighted lantern showing a white light

which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision.

Rule 33

Equipment for Sound Signals

(b) A vessel of less than 12 meters in length shall not be obliged to

carry (a whistle, bell or gong) but if she does not, she shall be provided with some other means of making an efficient sound signal.

Rule 35

Sound Signals in Restricted Visibility

(c) A sailing vessel (or vessel propelled by oars or paddles), (in restricted visibility, meaning fog but NOT normal night-time paddling), shall sound at intervals of not more than 2 minutes three blasts in succession, namely one prolonged followed by two short blasts. (-..)

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[smokeycretin9]

Thank you so much !

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