Kayak Safety Flags

[snafu]

I suppose this could have gone in the Safety part of the board, but I thought it fits here too.

I was thinking about putting a safety flag on my kayak, to become a little more visible to stink pot drivers. And I was wondering about the "rules" of boat flags. I googled it a little and can't really find anything specific for kayaks. They talk about the size of flags for sail boats, and the flag follows the captain and not the boat and so on.

Are there specific laws or rules about boat flags for kayaks? I thought if I were to use a flag for visibility, why not have a little fun and make it a personal flag. Like a flag on a pirate ship. An interesting symbol or something that signifies that it's mine. But on an orange background for visibility.

I don't want any issues with the Coast Guard because of some law or rule that no one knows about. Or some uptight charter captain hassling me about it at a tournament.

[snafu]

Do you need to be an official ship captain to be allowed to fly a personal flag on your boat? Or is the flag just like naming your boat? Something that everyone can do.

[Redbeard]

Not sure about any regulations about flags, but I have always flown a flag on my yak. To me, it should be required, especially on the larger lakes and areas in saltwater like the intercoastal where there is a lot of boat traffic. There are a lot of high-vis flags available, but I rarely see anyone using one. I use a 60" piece of 1/2" cpvc pipe with two double streamers of fluorescent orange flagging tape tied near the top and I insert an American flag that is on a small dowel in the end of the pipe. I secure the cpvc pipe in one of the rod holders on my crate with a couple of small bungee chords. Most yak anglers don't realize how easy it is for a power boat operator to not see them until they are upon them. Here, it may not be as bad, but on the larger lakes, a yak, especially one that is not brightly colored, is not highly visible when there is a pretty good chop on the water. Boat operators are often distracted or are not paying attention and are usually looking for larger craft rather than something as close to the waterline as a yak. Anything that you can do to make yourself more noticeable is a good thing, I don't think you will ever have a problem with anyone for that.

Redbeard

[snafu]

Yeah I want to start using a flag. Just thought it would be cool if it were an orange version of a pirate flag .

[jerseyjoe]

I havean American flag rigged on a fiberglass rod that was meant to be a driveway reflector holder. I have the rod wrapped in reflective tape for better visability. The rod fits into a hole I have drilled in a dowel. The dowel is held in a pocket in my crate pack. Visibility on open water is important...but also helps in some of the tighter backwater when a boat comes around the bend. better safe than sorry!

[3spots]

There only USCG regulation is that you have a whistle/ sounded device at all times and a 360 degree visible white light during low light conditions.
Flags are a bonus for your safety. You can fly whatever flag you want, Kevin does.

[nubby]

There is one made for yaks by Yak Attack and has several ways it can be attached to the vak. It has an orange flag and a reflective tape but also has a light that can be seen in low light condition. I can attest to that. You may look on the Yak Attack web sight or "Fish My Yak" web sight. Contact Trey and I am sure he would be happy to discuss it with you.

[troutman]

I used to fly my "Surrender the Booty" Pirate Flag, now just my regular ole Yak Attack Visi pole Flag!