Recreational Boating Safety – Paddle Craft Vessel Safety Check Part 4

By Bob Currie, Vessel Examiner
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 081-06-08
USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 081-06-08 is based at Coast Guard Station Galveston. The Auxiliary’s vessel examiners perform safety checks on all types of recreational boats. The U.S. Coast Guard Paddle Craft Vessel Safety Check (VSC) has many recommendations for paddle craft operators. Although many of these recommendations may seem obvious, they are part of the VSC because too many boaters fail to heed the advice and are lost in the process. More paddle craft operators drown than any other type of recreational boater (source: U.S. Coast Guard).

CONTINUALLY REASSESS CONDITIONS
Paddlers should assess weather, sea state, boat traffic, and other conditions before getting under way and should re-evaluate the situation periodically and at the first sign of any change. They also should remain alert to early hints of fatigue, reserving some of their energy for getting home. If more than one person is on board the craft, the crew should work as a team, keeping tabs on one another. You should check the weather forecast before you consider venturing out onto the water. Also check the tide forecasts. You don’t want to fight an outgoing tide to get back to shore. Once you have launched, you can monitor the weather and sea state by operating your marine radio in the scan mode and including the weather channel for the area as well as Channel 16. In our area you should include channels 11, 12 and 13 in order to monitor boat traffic if you are fishing near the Intracoastal Waterway or the Houston Ship Channel. Frequently scan the horizon in all directions in order to detect any bad weather buildup.

RIP CURRENTS AND KAYAKS
We also receive rip current reports, on our weather channel. A rip current is an area of rough water typically caused by opposing currents or by a rapid current passing over a rough bottom. A rip current may also be formed where two currents meet. Rip currents are often found near beaches with breaking waves. Rip currents are strong currents that pull you away from the shore. The old term, rip tide, is a misnomer, and the current term, rip current, is preferred. The United States Life Saving Association reports that there are over 100 rip current deaths annually in the U.S. (http://www.usla.org/?page=RIPCURRENTS). We had at least two deaths attributed to rip currents on the Bolivar Peninsula in 2017. There were several more in the Galveston and San Luis Pass area. San Luis Pass is now a restricted area prohibiting kayak fishing due to the problem with strong rip currents. If caught in a rip current, remain calm to conserve energy. Do not fight the current; instead paddle out of the current by paddling parallel to the shoreline. Remember- a rip current is a horizontal current. Although it may pull you far from shore, it does not pull you underwater. If you find yourself being pulled far from shore, use your marine radio to call for help. Your safest option is to not launch if there is a rip current warning for the area.

Paddle Craft Vessel Safety Check Part 4

Although rip currents are the cause of many swimming deaths, they are also the cause of many paddle craft deaths. Please see the United States Lifesaving Association link above for more information on rip currents.

COLD WEATHER OPERATION
The Coast Guard understands that cold weather kayaking, ad ocean kayaking have increased in popularity. Paddlers should wear anti-exposure suits or dry suits in cold water, complete with hood, gloves, booties, and masks when circumstances call for them. The high risk of rapid immersion in paddle craft dictates that operators take cold weather dangers seriously. You can safely extend your kayaking season into cold weather by following a few basic rules. Paddle Craft Vessel Safety Check Part 4First, make sure you have the proper equipment like your PFD, spray skirt (for sit insides), bilge pump (also for sit insides), whistle, paddle leash and first aid kit. Add to this list a complete change of clothes in a dry bag just in case you fall in the water and want to change later. Second, take on the cold with the proper paddling apparel, and that means layering with plenty of synthetic materials proven to keep you both warm and dry. Remember- never wear cotton; it does not insulate and it does not dry quickly. Third, don’t paddle on an empty stomach and be sure to carry some high energy food such as energy bars with you. It is important that you hydrate whenever you’re paddling, but it is easy to forget to do so when the sun isn’t beating down on you. In fact, keeping well fed and hydrated will help minimize the risk of hypothermia if you happen to fall in the water. Fourth, familiarize yourself with rescue techniques. Rolling is an important technique for sit inside kayak paddlers, and will get you out of the water with only minimum exposure. All paddlers should be able to reenter their kayaks after being capsized, and the technique should be practiced with your cold weather apparel and PFD on. Reentering your kayak can be made easier when an experienced kayaker assists you, which brings me to another point: never paddle alone, and stay close to your group. Finally, always wear your PFD. A dry suit is not a substitute for a PFD, as it will not keep you afloat with your head above water as a PFD is designed to do. Austin Kayak has an excellent guide for cold weather apparel layering.

For more information on boating safety, please visit the Official Website of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Boating Safety Division at www.uscgboating.org. Questions about the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or our free Vessel Safety Check program may be directed to me at [email protected]. I am available to perform free Vessel Safety Checks, and I will come to your location to perform them. SAFE BOATING!

[1-22-2018]

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