Activity - Rowing Dinghies & Small Sail Boats

No formal 'rules of the road' apply when these different types of boats meet, so courtesy and good seamanship is expected.

Good seamanship says

• the boat which is in the best position to give way should do so. This will often be the faster or more manoeuvrable boat;
• it is very important that an early and obvious change is made so that the other boat is able to respond appropriately;
• power boats give way to rowing and sailing boats.

Jet Boats

Jet boats operate mainly on shallow rivers. In addition to the normal boating rules, in rivers boats heading upstream must keep out of the way of boats going downstream.

Kayaks

These fun boats are common on lakes, rivers and around the coast. Used properly, they are very safe, but their limitations need to be understood.

• Only experienced, fit paddlers should use a kayak in rough water;
• Kayaks tend to float on top of the water and can be difficult or impossible to control in strong winds, unless handled by an expert paddler;
• Kayaks can easily capsize. It is essential to have buoyancy fitted to make sure it stays level so it can be re-boarded;
• Getting in and out safely requires much practice, especially in deep water;
• Always wear a buoyancy-vest or lifejacket designed for kayaking;
• Make sure you do not become separated from your kayak following a capsize. Kayaks, especially the ‘sit-on’ style blow rapidly across the water in a light breeze;
• When kayaking in areas used by other craft, make sure you will be seen. A kayak can be almost invisible to skippers of other craft. Wearing bright clothing, having brightly coloured paddle blades, and displaying a very bright orange or red flag about a metre above the water on a rod will greatly reduce the chance of being run down accidentally;
• Between sunset and sunrise a kayak must display a white light. It can be a 360° fixed white light or a torch, but a flashing light or strobe is not acceptable (strobe lights are used to mark a man overboard). The white light should be bright enough to be seen 2 miles (about 4km) away. Colours other than white are not allowed.