Yak safety
Just a quick note to yak owners …..
Its fantastic that so many people are getting into the sport of kayayks….get to enjoy the outdoors as well, some fitness and fishing…
Unfortunately people paddling yaks are not very visible to power boats and yachts. I have had a few people mention how they are concerned that yakas don’t appreciate the fact they are not very visible and that someone is going to get run over.
Yakas are now getting to places where people don’t expect to see paddle craft….
I noticed that one of the crew behind Three Mile (yes out behind the lines off Ocean Reef) on Sunday had a short flag….good work, but the rest (4 others) of the paddlers with him were dressed in drab green and blue wet weather gear……very hard to see if it was raining….as it did.
You guys need to use your intelligence……fluoro coloured clothing would be smart…as would reflective tape on your yak and clothing if out after dark…..and don’t buy a cheap navigation light because “you have to have one” buy a good one that can save your life….boats travelling at 10kts cant see a pissy little all-round light…..especially if you have it mounted low behind your seat….and you are facing the on-coming boat….just a accident waiting to happen.
This is not a lecture…..just a warning that someone is going to die if you don’t think about your safety…….
PS…..its illegal to tie off/interfere with cray pots/floats…..
Albee Mangles
Posts: 985
Date Joined: 20/05/08
Well Said Mate.
I agree with all you have said, except a few points. I was in that group out at 3 Mile on Sunday by the way.
My kayak, which is blue, and doesn't have a flag,has reflective tape on every upright surface, i had a white Frillneck cap on, and light grey sprayjacket. We do take precautions about safety, including all the nessasary safety gear, bailers, flares etc, and anchor in groups so that we are more visible.
The feedback we have recieved about our visibility has been quite the opposite from your comments by the way, and i have asked, and been told. Especially during the Snapper season.
I go out at night in all conditions also, and we employ all the required lighting, more than i have seen some boats doing, so dont go singling us out. Sitting in the river and hearing a boat, and not being able to see anything is rather scary. We have written safety guidlines all over our forums, it is not something we take for granted.
We dont want to be hit by boats probably as much as you dont want to hit us, and we promote safe kayaking on our local forums.
I appreciate your feedback, and will pass it on to our members, i will also mention that you found some of us hard to see.
We certainly DID NOT interfere or anchor of any craypots, so before you imply that we did, use your intelligence to get your facts straight. This sort of comment frankly pisses me off, and unfairly implies this is the sort of thing we do, or have done.
We as a Yakking community work hard to ensure our safety and responsible kayaking. We dont want to become a burden on the fishing community, get in the way or be a danger. This is a newish sport, and we intend to uphold high standards in regard to these matters. All intelligent feedback is welcome, and we will certainly take onboard the issues you have raised.
----------------------------------------------------
Hobie Adventure - "Shufoy"
Brett Ozanne
Jody
Posts: 1578
Date Joined: 19/04/07
Yes Dad
lol!!
Yeah, your so right Salmo. There are a bunch of kayakers who head out from Hillaries before daylight. Bloody hard to see them, and not many have a light at all.
TWiZTED
Salmo
Posts: 913
Date Joined: 15/08/05
Grab your paddle
and listen rather than being defensive.....
I didnt say the crew at 3 mile were on the ropes......but the crew out at Garden Island were!!!!!!!!
I was merely reminding tired paddlers that they cant take a rest by grabbing a cray float....
Oh....my observations about your group were that 'some' were easier to see than others.....we could see you mate....dont worry.....
Im talking generally you are hard to see....and lots of others have made the same comment
Thanks for the feed back though
just keeping a eye out FOR YOUR safety
Albee Mangles
Posts: 985
Date Joined: 20/05/08
Fair Enough Mate
We do appreciate the feedback, unfortunatley defense is sometimes the best sort of attack, and it's good to clear a few things before it turns into a lynching!!
This is my post from our Yakking forums:
We do take these comments seriously, and realise we are on small craft, and need to be safe.
As for the GI crew, we heard there were some yakkers out there with Crab Nets, and have asked around. But unfortunatley as with all there are people who will do the wrong thing, regardless.
I just want to show, we are on it, and if you see a small group doing the wrong thing, it's unlikely they are even on forums, especially ours. Try not to put all yakkers in the one basket. The core of us, are keen, responsible and vigilant.
Thanks for your comments.
----------------------------------------------------
Hobie Adventure - "Shufoy"
Brett Ozanne
Salmo
Posts: 913
Date Joined: 15/08/05
We are all a family
Yaks, tinnies, stink boats....
Boaters dont see yaks as anything other than brothers (and sisters) enjoying the water.....you are not a burden bro
Salmo
Posts: 913
Date Joined: 15/08/05
Cheers Brett
My comments were only meant as a warning .....to boaters as much as yakas.
We all have the same rights to be out there enjoying the sea......
I definately wouldn't put all yak riders in the same basket......as you cant put all boats in the same basket either...
well done on posting my concerns on the yak forum.....
I hope to see you crew out wide again soon
mako magic
Posts: 5785
Date Joined: 03/08/05
agree, on what salmo said,
agree, on what salmo said, people need to make themselves very visible, not just the yak guys but alot of the little tinnies out there too,just a hazard waiting to happen
The Tackle shack, for all your fishing needs
huge range of stock to suit any fisherperson.
PH:9248 3800 unit 3/11 Alexander drive Malaga
carnarvonite
Posts: 8669
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Strobe light
Saw a yak not long back with a white strobe light on a stick/pole.Even in daylight the flash stood out like dog's balls,I noticed the flash long before I saw the yak
Just food for thought
Shorty
Posts: 1549
Date Joined: 10/05/08
I think it might be illegal
I think it might be illegal to use strobe lights,but that worth looking into for sure,does anybody know ?
Will be getting a fluro vest and fluro wrap around cap this week and making enquirers re the safety flags.
Thanks for the comments and feedback, will try and suss out who the group is leaving in the dawn hours off Hillarys some without lights ? I would imagine the boating traffic is quiet busy up that way, sounds very risky .
Colin 3 > long standing and highly respect member of the prestigous Colin's club.