Blazing paddles
Motion is another important visibility tool. Because your blades are in constant motion while paddling, you can increase your visibility by using reflective tape on blades or shafts, combined with strips of day glow tape. This combination will allow your paddle to catch and reflect sunlight as well as create flashes of day glow.
Dress to impress
Wearing a day-glow orange or yellow paddle jacket or over-shirt offers the highest VIS potential. If your torso is not covered in day glow, consider having a bright coloured paddle jacket which is a different colour to your kayak, personal flotation device (PFD) and paddle blades.
Bright is best
Choose a PFD in a bright colour. To maximise your VIS potential, consider having a PFD that is a different colour to your kayak, paddle blades and paddling jacket. Contrast the colours for maximum affect.
Fly the flag
Day glow orange and yellow chopper flags provide a permanent bright flash at the same height as the rotational arc of your paddle blades. Consider always using a flag if you are fishing from a kayak in a stationary position, as you don’t have the additional visibility of your moving paddle blades.
Choose a colourful craft
Choose a kayak in a bright contrasting colour. The highest VIS potential is achieved when your boat contrasts to the sea and surrounding back drops. To increase your kayak’s visibility, consider adding flashes of day glow or reflective tape. Multi-coloured bright kayaks provide increased contrast.
Be bright at night
Maritime rules require that as a minimum, kayakers must carry a torch to prevent collision. However, holding a torch may prevent you from paddling effectively and therefore being seen!
Wearing a head torch allows your arms to be free to paddle. In addition, mounting an all-round white light (or a red, green and white sector light) on your rear deck above head-height means you will be visible from all directions.
Stick together
If travelling in a group, particularly at night, it is recommended that kayakers carry two light sources, such as a head torch and an all-round white light.
When paddling in a tight pod, if the rear paddler has their all-round light turned on, the group will be visible from behind and other members will not be blinded. The lead kayaker should also have their head torch on and shining forward, which won’t affect others’ night vision. All paddlers should then only need to use their lights when there is approaching traffic. Don’t use flashing strobe lights unless in an emergency.
Attaching reflective tape or strips to your kayak, paddle and clothing will maximise your VIS potential at night. Shining your torch across the strips can also help you to be seen.
Remember the radio
If you are paddling in an area and can see other larger boats that may not be able to see you, remember that many of them will have a VHF radio and be listening on Channel 16. A very brief message to all craft in the area stating you are on the water can alert others to your presence.
And don’t forget to …
- lodge a trip intentions form with a reliable person
- carry two forms of communication, eg VHF radio, cellphone, flares
- ensure that communication devices are carried in waterproof bag or container
- carry them on you, in case you are separated from your kayak
- if you’re going inland to rivers where there is no cellphone or VHF radio coverage, take a 406mHz PLB (personal locater beacon)
- dress for the conditions – stay on top, stay warm, be found!
More information
You can download a Paddling to be seen flyer (PDF - 68Kb) that provides an overview of what kayakers need to know about kayak visibility.
The material in the flyer is based upon an article that originally appeared in Issue 20 of MNZ’s Safe Seas Clean Seas newsletter.
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