STAY WAY CLEAR OF SHIPS ON THE COLUMBIA RIVER

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Hey you scratched my anchor!

Blazeheliski · Since 30 Mar 2011 659 Posts Mosier Addicted

They got this idea after a kiter splatted himself on the bow of a ship................

http://www.boardjoy.com/blog/tag/beluga/

pollywog · Since 07 Aug 2009 291 Posts Obsessed

Yeah, I was there. The ship blew its horn several times (more then 5). The ship started blowing its horn before the kiter went down. A lot of the crew stood out on the deck watching. When it was obvious the kiter wasn't able to relaunch, 3 kiters and one zodiac tried to help. It was frightening. Kudo's to the captain.
The fisherman on the bank who were pissed we were there (they threw a bottle at a kiter they thought got too close to their lines), said we were "stupid", and, that sort of situation makes us look like idiots.
Nonetheless, I was impressed with my fellow kiters trying to help out someone who allowed himself to be caught in a life-threatening situation.
I was told he did not have a knife. If that was the case, that was doubley idiotic. I bet the kiter won't get caught like that again as well as those there.
My 2 cents...

beech · Since 21 Aug 2010 485 Posts Longview, WA Obsessed

thanks for posting up pollywog. I'm tellin the story second hand so hopefully I didn't muff too many details. As for the knife, my buddy said he told the guy to cut his lines and the guy either said or acted like he couldn't reach it. He might have been too embarrassed to admit he didn't have one?? Who knows. Apparently he didn't read the knife thread a few weeks back!! I made some changes to my gear based on that thread.

Anyhow, hopefully the lesson done got learned on that one.

Macaframa · Since 06 Jul 2010 81 Posts California Delta

Sorry to hear about all of this but hopefully it spawns further talks of safety.

The USCG NAV Rules-Sound Signals specify that 5 OR MORE short blasts with a sound producing device to signify DANGER. Not that anyone needs that explanation to know they're in danger when a giant boat is nearby down on them. That standard sound signal should be recognized by anyone utilizing the waterways. It might be a good idea to attach a whistle to your gear to alert ignorant people to hazards.

Be safe out there, the last thing I'm interested in reading about on here is a preventable death.

MarkWorth · Since 02 May 2011 149 Posts Hood River Stoked

Do Not tangle your lines on your feet!
Do Not tangle your lines on your feet!
Do Not tangle your lines on your feet!
If your kite hits the water do not ride over them.
If you are self rescuing swim to one side as you move to the kite.
All of the life threatening incidents of the last 6 weeks have resulted from line entanglement.

sirmichaelo · Since 26 Mar 2010 353 Posts Maui Obsessed

kochease · Since 03 Jul 2008 760 Posts In Ft. Stevens, OR Opinionated

Hey Beech I was there and saw the entire thing. So did 4 of my students!! I had just got done telling them about ship traffic less than an hour before the chaos. We all saw the whole thing. I could have swore that guy was going to be chopped into fish bait by the propeller.

When I saw him pop up behind the ship it looked like he was within touching distance. But turns out he was 30 or so feet away. And that is extremely too close for comfort for me, I wonder if that guy had to change his wetsuit afterwards!! I didnt get to talk to him because he high tailed it off the beach as soon as he came back in.

I think my students took my lecture on ship traffic really seriously now. Props to our friend for risking his neck trying to help him. I try to warn new people I see kiting at Jones of the Shipping hazards. Suprising how many kiters don't know the dangers of it.

I see way to many kiters playing around in front of ships at Jones. Alot of them end up with inverted kites and tangled lines!!!
REMEMBER THAT THE SHIPS SUCK ALL THE WIND OUT OF THE RIVER LIKE A VACUUM CLEANER!! THE BEST AND SAFEST THING TO DO IS ALWAYS COME IN TO SHORE AND PUT YOUR KITE DOWN. You can never be too careful. I can't count how many guys have had to swim in because they got next to a ship and the kite got a mind of its own. They will go all over the place with no control. Land your kite or park it in the water until the ship passes. A large ship will destroy the wind for a good 1/2 mile up river so BE PATIENT and chill for a few minutes.

Take a 3 min break and let the ship pass.

I always teach my students to be aware of ship traffic, always look behind you every few tacks for ships and to ALWAYS COME IN TO SHORE when a ship is approaching. They are traveling a hell of a lot faster than you think they are. Those moments of you thinking just 2 more tacks will get your ass killed or a beach Banned then Honey Badger will do what the ship should have done to you...

It looked like the guy seriously panic. His kite was pulling him in the direction of the shipping channel for a bit. Even if your leg is caught I would think you would try to get your kite to pull you away from the ship. it looked like he could have got free before the ship reached him because his kite was in neutral position upside down in the U shape just floating there with what looked like slack lines coming off it. I think he completely freaked. But it was hard to tell from the beach.

Panic is not an option and be smart out there. Those fisherman were soooo pissed!! Props to all who helped out.