STAY WAY CLEAR OF SHIPS ON THE COLUMBIA RIVER

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

This is nothing new to seasoned vets but I just heard about an incident at Jones on Sunday where a FREIGHTER had to alter course to avoid a kiter with downed kite.

First off, this is life and death. You get tagged by a freighter, you're likely getting sucked under the keel and minced in the prop.

Second, you are risking getting our launches regulated or shut down when ships have to dodge you in the channel.

Third, as soon as you become an obstacle to a freighter and they have to alter course in some way to avoid killing you, the pilot is on the radio to the river patrol and if they find you its over $2k fine.

So, stay way clear of the ships as they approach at Jones, and anywhere else on the river for that matter. You can see them WAY far off so give them lots of room. Its a good idea to get on or near the shore when those huge tall car haulers are coming thru. They have ginormous wind shadows and mess up the wind all over the channel when they go by.

Nothing quenches the stoke like getting keel hauled by a freighter that snagged your kite lines and dragged you to Portland! Shocked

kiterbiker · Since 12 Jun 2010 65 Posts

And they go WAY faster than the barges you see everywhere else on the river. So don't think your safe when you barely see it in the distance, they close the gap fast!

A.K. · Since 01 Jul 2006 190 Posts Stoked

True dat! Remember wind shadow created by barges and know when you ditch your gear and swim. But you should never be in this position in the first place - always looks both way before crossing the street.

Also recall that in a wind lull this years high fast water is sometimes pushing drifting kites back towards the downed kiter. So you may need to swim to properly position youself for a water relaunch.

forrest · Tue Jun 07, 11 7:45 am

That was nice of the freighter captain. Crazy story.

jackZ · Since 13 Apr 2008 355 Posts Devon Alberta ca. Obsessed

Hi All ,
My 2cts.
I was at roosevelt a bit ago and looked upriver and saw a large vessel coming around the bend . I thought , it'll be awhile before it gets here and also , it was a good thing I looked when I did because it had been a while .
Time flies when your having fun ! That thing was really moving after all . Be careful ! There was no near miss or any problem it's just that I hadn't looked for some time , forgetting ship traffic .
I don't know how the vessel in this case could alter course for a kiter considering the size and time required to do so . They have right of way !!!! Best thing is not to take any chances and keep your distance .
If your not familiar with waterway traffic you will have to remember to keep looking ! I know I had to remind myself .
it's kinda like the trains man you don't want something to go wrong when your in front of it so don't be there !
jackZ

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

A friend of mine was trying to help the guy out. He kited right next to him and told him to cut his lines so he could drag him outta there. Apparently the guy said he couldn't get to his knife and he had lines wrapped around his legs. Exclamation

The freighter pilot was laying on the horn... yeah a ship horn, and not little horn toots, like... laying on it solid for minutes. I would have loaded my wetsuit from just that.

Anyhow... that captain steered that giant freakin ship around the kiter and saved his life.

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Jun 07, 11 8:50 am

Honey badger wouldn't fucking move.

If a freighter tries to run me over I'm going to bite a huge chunk out of their propeller. The best way to avoid trouble is to kite with a Walkman blasting.

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

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

i really didnt think those fuckers could swerve

When i see megatron approaching - i mentally divide the river in half and stay on my side for the 5 or worst case 10 minutes as it plows thru - talking to the friendly tug capt who loves us windfags - he says it does stress him out when dickweeds need to get that last tack in right in front - as his blind spot extends quite aways out from the bow...

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Jun 07, 11 11:22 am

I dunno man, I think all the barge and freighter drivers are just whiny bitches.

Whenever I see a fully loaded car transporter or double barge going down the river when its blowing 30knots I am always thinking to myself "look at how maneuverable that thing is"

Blazeheliski · Since 30 Mar 2011 659 Posts Mosier Addicted

ericvs · Since 05 Jul 2008 133 Posts Stoked

Maybe something like this would help during lessons:

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1489 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

Recently heard that if a ship captain blows the horn 5 times that means he cannot take evasive maneuvers and he's about to hit something.
Hope I never hear 5 blasts from an oncoming barge.

Nak · Tue Jun 07, 11 1:04 pm

Nak · Tue Jun 07, 11 1:39 pm

A few things to consider: Even if you don't see a ship yet, if you're down in the channel don't waste any time getting the hell out of the channel! Be aware of where the ships travel; do your tricks elsewhere. If your kite falls out of the sky due to the wind dropping, seriously consider immediate self rescue if you're in the channel instead of waiting to see if the wind will pick back up. Once you see the ship, you may not have much time to get out of it's way. A brightly colored kite increases the chance that the ship's Captain will see you in time for him to maneuver. Always assume there's a ship just around the corner. Always wave to the crew, whatever goodwill you generate now may make a difference in saving somebodies life later. Yeah, the captain is legally bound to do whatever he can to avoid collision, but a little goodwill might mean that decision to maneuver is made just a second or two earlier. That could make a big difference; the life you save might be your own. Never, ever, count on the ship maneuvering; assume it will run your ass down if you don't get out of there. No matter what the captain does, he very well may not be able to avoid hitting you. If you're anywhere near the ship when it goes by, the odds are good you'll get sucked in to the prop. Even if you don't, just getting rubbed by the hull will probably kill you. You've heard of "Keel Hauling", right? DO NOT HESITATE to dump all of your gear and swim if your gear is slowing down the process of getting the hell out of the way of a ship. If you've never practiced swimming as fast as you can in whatever gear you wear while riding, do it soon. Know how fast you can move. If you wear a drysuit, you can't move very fast at all; keep that in mind and limit your time in the channel. A wetsuit should actually speed you up, booties will slow you down. Your harness will slow you down. Always remember to glance up and down river for traffic, EVERY tack. It takes less than a second.

Most importantly, THINK. Plan ahead and you should be able to avoid a close encounter of the scary kind.

JMatic · Since 12 Aug 2008 252 Posts Boise, In Dat Ho Obsessed

I heard 3 horns and then saw this.....
[img]

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Jun 07, 11 2:22 pm

ALWAYS turn to starboard...

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