Be Smart be Seen

Keeping Clear and Crossing

Before heading out on the water a good skipper makes sure all the appropriate safety gear is on board and in good working order.

Remember when crossing rivers or channels cross at the narrowest part of the waterway and head directly across so you're out of the moving traffic as quickly as possible.

Keep well clear of larger vessels and, if necessary, pass behind. Attempting to cross in front of larger boats is risky, dangerous and poor seamanship. Commonsense means it’s best to pass astern.

It is also good practice to paddle close to the shoreline of busy waterways and not in the middle of a channel. Keep to the right-hand side of channels.

Keep a proper look out

The paddler in a kayak is similar to the skipper of any boat and must follow the basic rules for safe boating. That means always keeping a proper lookout for obstacles and other vessels.

By keeping a proper lookout, all around, you will not only increase your own safety but the safety of others out on the water.

It may be tempting, but wearing headphones and listening to music on a busy waterway is not a good idea. You need to have all your senses working and that means keeping a listening watch for powercraft.

Be Smart, Be Seen

Any paddler or rower knows the importance of being seen by other boats on busy waterways. Always wear bright reflective clothing.

Consider having a flag on a post so that your visibility may be improved. Make sure you wear a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses. The glasses help you see other traffic.

Show a light at dawn or dusk so that others can see you in the water.