NYCkayaker Coast Guard and Kayakers

[Geoff K.]

It's a pretty frightening scenario, but I'm not sure I see any parallels 
between the "knucklehead" trying to "tow" his powerboat with a 
paddle-powered inflatable and the organized, scheduled 5-boro Ramble, 
except that there was at least 1 human-powered boat involved in both. I 
don't feel that this foolish stunt should in any way provide a basis for 
restricting planned, well-organized usage of public waterways. They're 
on opposite ends of the public waterway usage continuum.

As responsible boaters it's our job to be safe on the water. Providing 
the Coast Guard with information about events on public waterways as a 
courtesy is a part of safe usage, when appropriate. It shouldn't be 
required, but it should be considered a good idea -- again -- when 
appropriate. Restricting human-powered craft should only be done on the 
basis of safety and security. I believe the Ramble to have been both 
safe and within reasonable security bounds to have been able to proceed 
without any CG involvement. Sensible channel crossings of multiple 
human-powered boats are absolutely possible with appropriate management. 
It's done every day in the harbor -- albeit to lesser scale -- without 
incident.

With any paddle you feel could draw CG attention, just notify the 
Officer of the Day (OD) ahead of time that there will be boats on the 
water, and proceed with care and sensitivity to safety and security. 
Check for active restricted areas and give them wide berth. Have 
up-to-date information (and ID!) with you during the paddle and be sure 
you know the name of the OD so you can have any CG personnel contact 
him/her to check that you provided a courtesy call informing them of the 
paddle.

Be smart, be safe, and plan ahead. Don't give the CG any reason to have 
to talk with you. In time they may become accustomed to our presence and 
come to understand how we operate and that we're safe and responsible. 
When you do talk with CG folks, be polite and have accurate information 
at-hand. But above all, follow their instructions. They may have even 
more current data than you had at the start of your paddle. In a 
difference of opinion, the folks with the 50-cal gun on the deck always 
overrule the paddler(s) in front of them.

-- Geoff
>
> Subject:
> NYCkayaker Coast Guard and Kayakers
> From:
> Richard Clifford <RichardClifford at earthlink.net>
> Date:
> Fri, 21 Sep 2007 10:33:57 -0400
>
>
> NYCKayaker:
>     Once again, my 2 cents for the U.S. Coast Guard. Some of you 
> wonder why the USCG operates under strict rules and regulations. Or, 
> some of you may wonder why the USCG on occasion may be skeptical when 
> dealing  with even one human-powered vessel. Here is just another 
> recent example of what they face. - Richard Clifford
>
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