Toronto, too.
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/08/07/water-taxi-driver-charged-after-boat-hits-father-and-son-in-kayak.html
In this incident, the taxi pilot clearly erred.
that may be true
but in our locality kayakers sometimes approach lobster boats in an attempt to shop more cheaply.
Lobster boats operate an erratic course with multiple traps on a line and sometimes not. Its just about impossible to deciper a strings colors quickly in a sea of different patterned buoys.
The same in harbors. Usually there is a channel marked and boats off to the side… Some moored and some about to get underway.
We go by USCG rules here. Peter alludes to Rule 8 which is of course any skippers responsibility
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pdf/navrules/navrules.pdf
Some kayak rental agencies make you sign a paper saying that you acknowledge that they told you kayakers have no right of way over anyone. Perhaps its over simplification but certainly wise for first timers and new paddlers to be aware of.
If
– Last Updated: Sep-01-16 10:03 AM EST –
the guide/organization is experienced in the area ..
the ferry company publishes a schedule ....
ferry company adheres to schedule .....
then kayaks in ferry path esp off the dock at the time of departure ...
have not yielded right of way.
further, the guide/company is now liable for damages to the companies clients ...
no matter what they signed into.
as 'failure to deliver' in any form negates 'signing away rights to complain'
at extreme behavior levels, the client may complain of malicious intent ...I'm sure yawl can come up with examples often read in the tabloids.
missplaced blame?
I read the linked report and if that report was correct, the taxi boat operator stated that his vision was impaired by sun glare. If that stands, it is a clear admission of negligence if the operator proceeded to move the vessel without assurance that his way was clear.
Where I paddle ocean going freighters, tugs, barges and all manner of power boats, sailboats and anything that floats are constant and plentiful. Generally the commercial boats (tugs) are operated very professionally, but I’ve seen them do some very odd maneuvers when they were either practicing, or just goofing off while waiting for a ship etc. Some of the newer tugs have 360 degree drives and can go sideways almost as fast as forward, so you have to keep an eye on them.
By far, some privately operated large power yachts are what kayakers have the most to be wary of. And then there are the fishing guide boats. These guide boats are generally capable of speeds of over 50 mph and that seems to be their only speed unless they are trolling. There was a recent case where a guide boat ran right over another fishing boat. So far as I know, the kayakers have been spared.
the fact that you used the
words 'situational awareness" is very cool. It applies to many different environments and paddle craft and is a common part of my paddling dialogue with others.
Being keenly aware of where others are and thinking about what they are likely to do next is a proactive mind frame. Noticing the environment and subsequent changes can apply to both a busy harbor with large boats, or a crowded river with a bunch of gonzo ww boaters, or even a small twisty stream with no other paddlers around.
A lack of “situational awareness” leads to mistakes and misfortune. You can be both “vigilant” and “relaxed” when the situation allows for it. However, full complacency can lead to trouble.
People often like to paddle near where they live. That may or may not be a good idea depending upon the environment and their level of situational awareness.
I can tell you that I personally have no business paddling in a busy NY harbor and would have a lot to learn to do so safely.
Some clarifications…
After reading this thread, I see only one poster that has any real experience in paddling the NYC metro waters.
Just to clarify a few things:
-There are nearly 4,000 ferry boat trips per day that are made by the small, high-speed commuter ferries that are similar to the one in this incident.
- New terminals, new routes, new ferry boats and changes in time schedules make it practically impossible for anyone to know ahead of time what ferry boat is leaving when and from where.
- Much, but not all the time, the captains do sound three horn blasts upon backing out.
- They almost always have prop wash as they “press” against the terminal to maintain a position in the significant. currents to allow passengers on and off.
- They ALWAYS announce their departure on VHF channel 13. As a paddler, if you are monitoring channel 13, it is often difficult to hear and determine which ferry boat is making the announcement. It is often announced only once. They will always state the name of the ferry and where they are departing from. Most of the time the ferry boat names can not be read easily.
- The ferry boats (IMHO) have probably the greatest speed and wake potential of any of the commercial traffic in the harbor. There are fast tour boats, but they operate much less frequently.
The sun glare is something ALL paddlers should be aware of. Even thou you may be paddling (navigationally speaking) in the correct location, you may not be in the best place to enhance your visibility to other powerboat or commercial traffic.
Visibility is your biggest asset. This is not the place for dark colored: clothing, PFDs, paddles or boats. Bright colors and reflectors are you best defense.
Commercial traffic (tugs, ships, ferry boats, tour boats), can often be heard on the VHF alerting each other of human powered and recreational boats.
Despite all this, paddling the NY harbor and the related waters that can be safely paddled and given the amount of commercial traffic and the amount of recreational boaters and human powered boats- I’d say it has a pretty stellar safety record.
The harbor can be paddled safety. It does thou require a higher level of situational awareness than many paddlers may be accustomed to that normally paddle fresh water or more “rural” coastal waters.
Be safe-
4r
Thanks
The sheer density of the boat traffic is different than any place I have tried to paddle. And for me, the overhead of managing all of that safely is similar to why my return to biking when I have time will mostly be on bike paths. I can bike on the road, did for many years. But the local roads are a lot busier and my interest in being that attentive to avoidance is a lot less.
It is great that there are those like you who have the habits to manage it.
page 12
RULE 5
Look-out
Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and
hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing
circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation
and of the risk of collision.
captain is toast
great sense of humor
situational awareness
The harbor can be paddled safety
It’s A Coast Guard Rule - Check Out
This Link where I saw it: http://www.libertyoutrigger.org/racers/rules-and-regulations
I couldn’t believe it! Paddlers beware, for now you know.
Years ago, during the first Liberty race, the Coast Guard actually pursued and stopped the lead canoe in the middle of the race for no apparent reason or just out of curiosity. I think they didn’t know what a six-man racing outrigger canoe was or that there was a race until they saw the other canoes behind it? The stopped canoe went on to win the race despite being pulled over by the Coast Guard.
USCG position on kayaks in NY Harbor:
“There are no kayaks, only suspicious kayaks,”
http://www.facebook.com/notes/erik-baard/hudson-river-ferrykayak-strike/10154469452108832?hc_location=ufi
Quoted from the above very interesting read.
I’ve learned a lot from the comments of substance in this thread. Thank you.
good artical
and any of the injured get well soon.
YUP
an ultimate for all the eyebrow raising n sneering over monkeys floating in plastic tubs…
alongside the tidal river surf class.
Hey!
Wait a minute; I think I represent that remark.
You figured out what he meant?
Maybe you should be worried…
Having crewed on recreational sail boats
– Last Updated: Sep-02-16 12:25 PM EST –
... it is not surprising to me that in races both parties may get a slap. There have been two times when I have had the wheel or the tiller of the sailboat, depending on the boat, and been sternly told by the boat's owner to maintain a course that was going to result in a collision if both captains insisted they were right. One time I was able to sneak over without being noticed enough to be totally in the clear. The other time involved two hard heads coming into a fairly crowded marina access channel. The other boat was doing a not-bad job of trying to claim right of way as well. I did avoid a collision by about 6 feet, but I was getting yelled at big league for the small corrections. (No, I couldn't drop the wheel because it was too crowded to let the boat go wherever while the boat owner got over it and got back to the wheel.)
Interestingly, both of these captains in these cases are very sweet, mellow people on dry land. Something happens when they get into the sail boat.
Wall,
– Last Updated: Sep-02-16 1:05 PM EST –
Of what do you write ? the tidal school or lumber thieves below Smellview ?
The pilots are sensitive to the LCD so if I appear on the southside above the county park at Sowcolma n a freighter comes around the bend from Cathlemet...the freighter hangs in the current...yawl seen this ? amazing a freighter with 16" discs.
Pilot has instructions to not plow me under but I'M anchored till the ship passes.
This pisses Smellview Nazi Defenders of The Homeland and Pension Fund to organize nightly hourly attacks on me unill I leave for Mexico.
The projection into surrounded by hi speed drag racing freighters .... divinity deleted
, right ?
Then locals write of situational awareness, that safety is proven by the presence of 100 freighters waiting to plow you under ... sure no problem....
into the valley of death paddled the 500....
Pad net posts
several asking ‘is NYC Hudson River/harbor safe’ ? then one dockumentary.
Background reading …
AT LAST! I’d been looking…
…for the lost liner notes to my unsanctioned and bootlegged Captain Beefheart Bat Chain Puller album since '78!
I believe I’ve found them.
Although, disappointingly, they do seem to have gone through the rinse cycle of a ferry boat’s backwash, and “81 Poop Hatch” appears deeper than ever.
good timing
for a ban on kayaking in the ferry area ?
The legislature is either off to the beach or in the slammer.
The vote yah seemingly overwhelms a nah vote.