Appendix V - Recommendation for visibility of kayaks and other paddle craft

This appendix is provided for information purposes only and is not a formal part of the bylaw and therefore is not enforceable.

A kayak or canoe can be almost invisible to the skippers of other marine vessels. During certain weather conditions and a slight chop, kayaks and other paddle craft can disappear into the trough of a wave and therefore cannot be seen by the skipper of other marine vessels.

For your safety, and others on the water, it is recommended that every kayak and paddle craft that is navigating on coastal waterways beyond 200 metres from shore and on all inland waterways should take all practicable steps to be highly visible to other vessels. This may include but is not restricted to:

1. wearing brightly coloured clothing or vest or personal flotation device (PFD); and
2. solas or DG3 (diamond grade 3) prismatic reflective tape on oars or paddles; and
3. a chopper flag (either a bright orange or yellow flag) or a brightly coloured hat or helmet; and
4. at night, showing a continuous white light visible in all directions and/or a torch capable of signalling an approaching vessel in time to prevent a collision, from a distance of 2 nautical miles.

Advisory note:
Please note that a chopper flag is not recommended for those kayaks or paddle craft when:

1. being used on white water; or
2. being used on lakes that have weed; or
3. when a person is training for whitewater kayaking, if the training is supervised by a club or approved person in accordance with a safety system approved by the council.

Kayak safety and staying bright on top

Recreational kayakers, canoeists and others using low profile watercraft on New Zealand’s lakes, rivers and seas can make themselves safer by ensuring they are visible to other boaties. A combination of colour, contrast and movement will maximise a kayaker’s visibility – key points to keep in mind follow.

Use your head

As your head is your highest point, make it as bright as is possible. Day glow orange or yellow hats or helmets are an excellent method of increasing your visibility to other skippers.

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 visibility 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 and paddle blades.

Bright is best

Choose a PFD in a bright colour. To maximise your visibility potential, consider having a PFD that is a different colour to your kayak, paddle blades and paddling jacket. Contrast the colours for maximum effect.

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 visibility potential is achieved when your boat contrasts to the sea and surrounding backdrops. 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 capable of being seen for 2 nautical miles and display it in time to prevent a 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. However, please note that a head torch does not comply with the national requirements but it is another means of making yourself visible and should be used in conjunction with a torch or 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 as these are recognised internationally as man overboard.

Attaching reflective tape or strips to your kayak, paddle and clothing will maximise your visibility 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, e.g. VHF radio, cellphone, flares.
• Ensure that communication devices are carried in a 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 406 mHz PLB (personal locater beacon).
• Dress for the conditions – stay on top, stay warm, be found!