For safety kayaking in the night, a rower will need some form of lighting. This is in order for him, or to have a clear vision in the pitch dark night and also as a safety measure for other moving vessels to spot. Most laws require boats that are longer than 16 feet to have lights. This law however, should not deter anyone from fitting kayak lights in their boats.
Even though, the law does not say anything about vessels that are less than 16 feet in length, it is wise to install safety lighting. Lighting techniques are quite varied, and one will be spoilt for choice. Depending on the function, these include headlights, reflective tapes, flares, deck lighting and the navigating light.
Flares are mainly used for large boats, but it can also be used in kayaks. Flares are more efficient at night, but they can also be used during the day. It is recommended to fire flares against the wind while rowing on a boat so that others can easily spot the direction. Orange smoke signals are produced when flares are fired into the sky. This technique is not terribly ineffective as a flare only lasts a short time before it burns out.
The deck light is the most powerful light to a paddler during the night. This light is referred to as an anchor light by some people. It is supposed to be mounted on the stern and is usually used together with the red light on its left, and to the right a green light is fitted. The main advantage of the deck light is that is has the ability to illuminate a 360 degree angle. A drawback of this light is that it obscures the vision.
A more robust equipment used by rowers during the night is the headlight which is worn on the head. It has two main functions. The headlight acts as a safety gadget to the rower as it is visible to anyone who is in the vicinity of the canoe. Some nights can be extremely dark and in such a case a headlight is used to improve the visibility of the waters around the canoe.
To increase ones visibility at night, one can use reflective tapes. The tapes are to be attached on the hull of the kayak. Paddles too can be attached with strips of this tape. The life jacked of the rower should also be fitted with them. The best color for the tapes are yellow orange and lime solely because they reflect a lot of light thus fast approaching vessels can easily spot.
Navigating lights can also be used on kayaks but are mostly used by big boats. The navigating light is used to send a signal to other vessels of ones presence in the area. Though this technique is not necessary on kayaks it should be however be used for maximum safety as they have the ability of preventing a crash in night waters. A major drawback of this light is that it inhibits the vision of the user and should then be correctly set to avoid this.
Kayak lights serve the same purpose as a lamp is to a miner. They assist the user to navigate in the night and also send a signal to other vessels out in the vast waters. They are to be used for a maximum safety and should never be ignored.
Even though, the law does not say anything about vessels that are less than 16 feet in length, it is wise to install safety lighting. Lighting techniques are quite varied, and one will be spoilt for choice. Depending on the function, these include headlights, reflective tapes, flares, deck lighting and the navigating light.
Flares are mainly used for large boats, but it can also be used in kayaks. Flares are more efficient at night, but they can also be used during the day. It is recommended to fire flares against the wind while rowing on a boat so that others can easily spot the direction. Orange smoke signals are produced when flares are fired into the sky. This technique is not terribly ineffective as a flare only lasts a short time before it burns out.
The deck light is the most powerful light to a paddler during the night. This light is referred to as an anchor light by some people. It is supposed to be mounted on the stern and is usually used together with the red light on its left, and to the right a green light is fitted. The main advantage of the deck light is that is has the ability to illuminate a 360 degree angle. A drawback of this light is that it obscures the vision.
A more robust equipment used by rowers during the night is the headlight which is worn on the head. It has two main functions. The headlight acts as a safety gadget to the rower as it is visible to anyone who is in the vicinity of the canoe. Some nights can be extremely dark and in such a case a headlight is used to improve the visibility of the waters around the canoe.
To increase ones visibility at night, one can use reflective tapes. The tapes are to be attached on the hull of the kayak. Paddles too can be attached with strips of this tape. The life jacked of the rower should also be fitted with them. The best color for the tapes are yellow orange and lime solely because they reflect a lot of light thus fast approaching vessels can easily spot.
Navigating lights can also be used on kayaks but are mostly used by big boats. The navigating light is used to send a signal to other vessels of ones presence in the area. Though this technique is not necessary on kayaks it should be however be used for maximum safety as they have the ability of preventing a crash in night waters. A major drawback of this light is that it inhibits the vision of the user and should then be correctly set to avoid this.
Kayak lights serve the same purpose as a lamp is to a miner. They assist the user to navigate in the night and also send a signal to other vessels out in the vast waters. They are to be used for a maximum safety and should never be ignored.
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