Also
That Captain or Mate WILL be assigned at least some if not the majority of blame. Sad for them as likely a career ending event. And horrible for the folks hurt. In collisions blame is shared even if you think you’re totally correct.
With ferries keep an eye on traffic going on an off and look at the exhaust. A tell tale sign is a plume of smoke from the stacks - pulling away. Some ferries will sound a whistle blast (Inland- pulling off dock or landing) (International - not required, but some Captains do so as a blind corner signal - for safety)
Never be afraid to hail the Ferry on VHF CH 13.
There is always something…
At least one thing you mentioned in the above posts had occurred to me. But I don’t know that area. Habits which may be reliable between paddle craft and commercial craft in one area may not be as reliable in a densely packed place like Manhattan. So I doubt anyone here can say something definitive.
Bottom line, ferries and paddle craft are a particularly tough mix. Ferries have a schedule, can run late and in some areas they have no choice but to go for it hard because of current. No kayaker in their right mind should ever be in the way of the deceptively short ferry run between Shelter Island and North Haven for example. Current runs very strong there and the ferry has to gun it out of the launch to have a chance of making the opposite terminal.
I think it is a wonderful thing that anyone tries to help paddlers enjoy the water anywhere. Personally though, Manhattan is not on my list of places to be wet.
Law of gross tonnage
First time I saw that term, it was in a post by Marshall of The River Connection. I had to look it up as I had no idea what it meant. I do now and that’s what I go by regardless of where I paddle, but especially in the busy harbor where I launch to paddle Lake Michigan. I always think of the “stop, look, and listen” mantra from my childhood while I’m crossing the harbor.
I have to disagree with a comment suggesting lawsuits be filed because I work in the legal profession. We have a sign in our office stating “Agree, because the law is costly.” Litigation is costly, not only financially but emotionally and few wind up happy in the end. Best to let the insurance companies work this one out, or at least try to.
I just hope that all involved recover physically and emotionally from this awful accident.
…and not the guide?
– Last Updated: Aug-31-16 3:24 PM EST –
Lawsuits using misplaced blame get us regulations. Reading you in the past I thought you were opposed to more of those.
In Arizona
ANY paddle or sailing craft has the right-of-way over any powerboat.
BUT…
To insist on that right is stupid and suicidal!
That powerboat is moving at 35 knots and the driver is too busy trying to impress his gf to see a dark-coloured kayak low in the water being paddled by someone in a cammo PFD.
Even when I have the right-of-way, I never insist on it. It costs me nothing to give the river to the powerboat though my daughter talks about suing them…
which is STUPID!!! for so many reasons.
Probably two ins. companies involved.
…each with their own staff attorneys with both pointing fingers at the other…
I remember the Ford Explorer, Firestone Tire fiasco. It ended up killing Firestone when it was Ford’s fault.
No working ports in AZ
Unfortunately
I believe some folk who only paddle state regulated waters that DO give paddle craft stand on status take that as the Rule on all waters.
If it tastes salty you are probably in waters governed by the Colregs, and you are just another vessel subject to the same rules as the guy in the Bayliner.
Tonnage rule: I cringe at that cliche because while it may be a good default to ensure safety it’s simplistic. If Im running a light tug (no barge) I am not constrained. A kayak on my starboard side in a crossing situation for example would be the stand on vessel and i would take action to give way well ahead of time.
If that same kayaker stopped maintaining course and speed it would confuse the situation maybe. Id try for s strong visual contact, slow down and make my course correction to avoid early and obvious.
Ever at a 4 way stop and someone tries to be polite but departs fron the rules? Sometimes it ends up being confusing.
Dont mean to split hairs and generally agree with the tonnage default. Just be smart and avoid situations with prudent navigation.
And use that handheld!
Be safe. Enjoy.
then there was Audi
…and “sudden acceleration”
Law is
– Last Updated: Aug-31-16 6:37 PM EST –
When a power-driven vessel is leaving a dock or berth, she shall sound one prolonged blast.
Large boats here on Long Island NY like charters always get on 16 and request clear passage and wide berth and say what they are planning to do. Instructor should always have a radio and possibly did to know what is going on especially in a busy port like NYC. Courts will sort it out. God bless all the injured kayakers. Was looking to see if announcing on VHF is a law also but didn't find it yet but it should be done especially in situation where you know kayakers are around at times.
Didn’t they say…
The pedals were too close together and blamed the drivers?
I am sure
lawyers are looking for them. It will be a good case for them.
Do the ferries follow the same rules?
It has been a while since I have been on a ferry to or from LI, but my recall is they pretty much traveled their established routes and figured that others would expect they would be there.
still
– Last Updated: Aug-31-16 6:51 PM EST –
ships should announce they are leaving on VHF. Instructor would have had time to contact ferry and / or get kayakers out of the way. Prolonged horn blast you cannot miss unless you are deaf. Glare would be no excuse. Unlike a car where it can appear in almost an instance it doesn't happen when leaving a dock. He should not have moved the ferry and someone should be astern I would think if he can't see and knows kayakers use the waters.
Here’s Jack …
– Last Updated: Aug-31-16 9:12 PM EST –
http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/noaatidepredictions/NOAATidesFacade.jsp?Stationid=8530645&bmon=08&bday=30&byear=2016&edate=&timelength=daily
http://marine.weather.gov/MapClick.php?site=okx&zmx=&zmy=&map_x=91&map_y=218&x=91&y=218#.V8dpzjFTHQM
http://w1.weather.gov/data/obhistory/KEWR.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~x)0
my data are downriver from the accident. not much wind at 39th.
http://w1.weather.gov/data/obhistory/KNYC.html
http://www.google.com/#q=new+york+waterways+ferry+schedule+weekend
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/31/nyregion/11-kayakers-rescued-from-hudson-river-after-collision-with-ferry.html?_r=0
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\MORE
goo.gl/1dvvaR
On ferries in Maine, Portland
And it is salt water… I have never seen anyone specifically spotting for kayaks even when it is common for them to be around in the summer. No ferry has gotten any cites for this as far as I know. Don’t recall if they blew a horn before leaving.
I did see a Coastie give a very stern time to a kayaker that had gotten themselves in the way of an incoming ferry close to the dock, could have gotten cited but it was hard to tell. The ferry stopped and called the Coasties. And any sanction was correct as far as I and my husband were concerned. The paddler had several problems, no lights when the day was nearly faded, no reflective anything. And from what we could see nonexistent boat control, but there are no fines for bad paddling.
Salty…
…always the voice of reason. Nice to see your posts again. Stay in touch…
Jon http://3meterswell.blogspot.com
so if
you can’t see you hope and pray?
I’ll give captain my NY vanity plate
“SEEKAYAK”
we donate
one ferry sched to Manhattan yaks