Kayak safety against boaters

[Liveaction13]

As most of you have probably already seen a kayaker was struck by a boat and died near marina del rey. I was about a 2 miles out of Redondo today and had a couple boats come danger close and last Friday and Saturday I had a few close calls out of Dana point. I don't know what's different this year but over the last five I've had zero issues with boats I always wear high vis colors but due to the problems this year I'm going to be adding a few more safety items starting with a blaze orange flag and air horn I highly recommend to others to also up there game when it comes to safety and to report any incidents with boaters thank you for reading and as always tight lines and bent rods

[MITCHELL]

Don't put your self in harm's way
A dumb deer doesnt live long.
Be a smart kayaker especially in the bay channel .

[DanaPT]

Originally Posted by MITCHELL

Don't put your self in harm's way
A dumb deer doesnt live long.
Be a smart kayaker especially in the bay channel .

X2. Out of the harbor especially is a kayakers job to be alert and move out of the way (well in advance ) of an approaching boat.

[MITCHELL]

If they see an object on the water in the direction they are heading will use it as a marker instead of watching a compass and only veering off at the end, and your thinking is this boat going to run me over. I have had it happen to many times:the_fing er:

[Mr. NiceGuy]

I have a whistle I think this is louder:





https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0019M5EZ4...v_ov_lig_dp_it

[jorluivil]

Always assume they don’t see you

[MITCHELL]

Around my neck will scarce the heck out of you too...
I blow it as im cutting my way out of the bite.....if needed
I did have a guy pull his trolling lines over the top of me, I cut both of them...as they touched my sail mast.

[John M]

Tonnage always wins even if you have the right of way.
Avoid collisions always.
Be seen and keep your head on a swivel.

[barongan]

subscribed, this seems like a very interesting thread

[GTboosted]

You are taking a step in the right direction. It's your choice but there really is no reason why you shouldn't wear a PFD. They have compact, inflatable, comfortable, etc PFDs. It's not about knowing how to swim it's about emergencies.

The air horn is a good idea for harbors but I am not sure how effective they would be in open water with a boat at full speed.

Orange is probably the best color for visibility in the ocean (ie orange life rafts). My NRS chinook PFD is this same hue. My Pro Angler is yellow but I wouldn't mind orange too. I think I overdo it based on the colors I see at the launch ramp but I am not trying to win no style points. That and I am always by myself miles out. A single kayak is harder to see than a group.

I know I mentioned it before and I'll say it again. I've seen a grey inflatable boat get shredded by a speeding boat, the guy jumped out at the last second and survived with no injuries. I also needed an air rescue of the coast of Malibu literally after launching. I was oblivious to the conditions out there. Luckily I was out fishing with a group and they called the rescue from shore. I was wearing my PFD and it probably save my life. It allowed me to conserve energy every time I would get knocked off the kayak.

Still, no details have come out. Its possible none of these tips would have helped the victim in Marina Del Rey. Like it's been said, keep your head on a swivel and assume they don't see you.

[Liveaction13]

No excuses for not wearing a life vest the photo was more of a example to show the high vis colors I use I also carry a second life vest due to a accident I saw in dana point 2 years ago a couple new kayakers rolled there tandem and neither had a vest and I ended up giving mine to them until we could flip there yak over and get them back on

[goldenglory18]

Air Horn is a great idea. Love the quick access knife as well. I've been hooked/hung up plenty of times with danger headed straight towards me.

I've gotta say though, holiday weekends are the absolute WORST time to be in a busy powerboat/sailboat area on a kayak/SUP. Just too many distractions for both sides of the potential collision. You couldn't pay me to do that s**t again.....

[alanw]

I usually avoid holiday weekends for exactly this reason. Why the hell when there's a whole f'n ocean do boats come close enough to run over my line? It's ridiculous, and holiday traffic makes it just stressful to be the little guy on the water. I've had a very close call before an it's just not worth it IMO.

[MITCHELL]

Has been through the week
The one Saturday I decided to go was when two boats cut me off and the second boat pulled his lines over the top of me and I cut them and will do it again

[grey zone]

Years ago I was hooping off Shelter island, well lit, and a very large vessel is heading towards me at high speed. I paddled like hell and got out of the way as the yacht raced by, they did not see me. Kayakers have to understand how low they are to the water and if your kayak blends in you might not be seen. Put your life in your own hands, don't put it in others.

[JohnMckroidJr]

Originally Posted by DanaPT

X2. Out of the harbor especially is a kayakers job to be alert and move out of the way (well in advance ) of an approaching boat.

NO, A kayaker is a vessel under oars, and power driven vessels are responsible to stay clear of us. That said, staying alert to do our best to be visible is extremely important. As loud as air horns are, they are still hard to hear if the wind is blowing the wrong way from a noisy power driven vessel that may also have their stereo blasting. A flare gun is an option to consider.

[goldenglory18]

Originally Posted by grey zone

Put your life in your own hands, don't put it in others.

This is the best possible advice in this entire thread....

[Raskal311]

Safety steps I have taken:
- Went with don’t run me over papaya instead of the pretty camo color.
- air horn
- whisle
- acr personal beacon
- pdf (only comes off to remove layers)
- flag on a 6 foot pole
- radio
- knife on vest
- 4 foot Pvc pole with reflective tape and led flare mounted at the top. (Mainly used at night)
- spare led flare on the kayak
I am only missing a flare gun which I have been looking in to.

Your safety is your responsibility! Don’t skimp on safety then run out and spend $500 on a reel.