KAYAK ANGLER KILLED

[slonezp]

3 hours ago, Harold Scoggins said:

UPDATE:

I talked with Det Mike Luna this afternoon, and although he could not give any information about the individual under investigation, he did give information about the equipment (or lack of) used by Trace Richardson during the time of the accident.

Time of accident: Before dawn

Kayak make: Lifetime Tamarack

Lights: None

Flag: None

PFD: None

Note: An empty box for a head lamp was found in Trace's truck, but it wasn't on his body when it was found.

My final thoughts: We share the waters with larger boats. Our kayaks sit much lower to the water and as such, we should take every precaution that allows us to be seen by other boats. I will talk about the importance of wearing a PFD until I'm blue in the face. Use a flag and rear nav light on the stern of your kayak. BE SEEN!

A 23 year old went missing on Lake Michigan last week. They found the body 2 days ago. https://abc7chicago.com/body-of-missing-indiana-kayaker-found-along-lake-michigan/5321755/

He was in a "portable" kayak that folds up and can be stored in the trunk of a car. While I can empathize with the family for their loss, this kid had zero common sense. It's unfortunate. Reports said he was seen more than a mile off shore prior to the storm passing thru. I pick and choose my days on Lake Michigan and I'm in a 20ft Lund. I also know a number of kayak anglers who fish Lake Michigan for perch, salmon, and trout. All...or most... have common sense. I'm sorry, but a boat that folds up and stores in the trunk of a car, has no business out on the Great Lakes. The kid in your article, IMO had no common sense. No pfd, no lights, no flag. It was only a matter of time 

[IgotWood]

I take as many precautions as I can when out in open water. Constant situational awareness is a must. No matter what you do to be visible, it’s still tough to see a kayak on the water. They sit so low to the water and are so small. You can never assume other boaters can see you. You must always be on alert and on the defensive, no matter what. I keep a super bright strobe tied around my neck and I have an air horn in my cup holder. Thank god ive never used them, and I hope to keep it that way. 

 

I sympathize for for both parties here. Whether the boater turned himself in or not, he has to live with that guilt for the rest of his life. Be safe out there. “Power in numbers”. Several kayaks are more visible than just one. Try to fish with a partner whenever possible. 

[Harold Scoggins]

7 hours ago, IgotWood said:

I have an air horn in my cup holder.

I picked one up today.

[flyfisher]

16 hours ago, Harold Scoggins said:

UPDATE:

I talked with Det Mike Luna this afternoon, and although he could not give any information about the individual under investigation, he did give information about the equipment (or lack of) used by Trace Richardson during the time of the accident.

Time of accident: Before dawn

Kayak make: Lifetime Tamarack

Lights: None

Flag: None

PFD: None

Note: An empty box for a head lamp was found in Trace's truck, but it wasn't on his body when it was found.

My final thoughts: We share the waters with larger boats. Our kayaks sit much lower to the water and as such, we should take every precaution that allows us to be seen by other boats. I will talk about the importance of wearing a PFD until I'm blue in the face. Use a flag and rear nav light on the stern of your kayak. BE SEEN!

This has no bearing on the boater leaving the scene etc...but this kayaker was going to be in a world of hurt sooner rather than later.  To be on the water in the dark, where there is boat traffic with nothing for anyone to be able to see them is asking for trouble and well, he got it.

[Elkins45]

Unfortunately young people think bad stuff won’t happen to them. I know I did some really dumb stuff in a 14 foot Jon boat after sunset. It’s a shame he had to pay such a high price for his lack of safety gear...and also that the guy who hit him apparently didn’t even try to give aid.

[GreenPig]

Any boat with no light and no pfd in the dark is an invitation for something bad to happen. I'd string the power boater up for not rendering aid and attempting to remove evidence. Kayaker might have lived if aid was given.

[Johnbt]

I've never run into a kayak or even used one for that matter. Maybe the guy thought that bump in the water was a barely submerged floating log or soggy piling or board off a dock or something. I know I would have been curious about what I'd hit and what the damage was. 

 

I know what a 32' Trojan flybridge sounds like when it hits a big floater head on and holes the hull. It's not pretty. 

[boostr]

I'm always scanning the water when I'm motoring about in a lake, and when I see kayakers I slow down. But this is in the daytime definitely would be alot harder in the dimming light. 

[bowhunter63]

Prayers to his family.