I'm not a kayaker but i witnessed an event that really opened my eyes yesterday. I was fishing in the surf at Fairfield beach and as a boat passed by I heard a man shouting for help. Looking out I could see a red kayak probably 200 yards offshore. I would guess the boat passed within 100 yards of the guy and never saw or heard him. I called 911 and within minutes a police boat was on the scene and rescued him. Before the police boat arrived the first boat turned around and once again didn't hear or see the man. Even the police boat had trouble finding him until a cop on the beach radioed instructions. All of this took place in broad daylight with perfect visibility. Just a reminder that lack of visibility and being heard over an outboard engine are real concerns for you guys. After seeing that yesterday I would not hit the water in a kayak without some handheld flares. They are lite, take up no room and might be a real lifesaver if it really hits the fan out there

Good post. Thanks.

This is why I have tied a whistle, mirror and blinking light to my life vest.

Someone put together a list of kayak colors from easiest to see to most difficult. For whatever reason, red was on the difficult end. Good thing you were there.

What was the problem anyway?

He was too far away to be sure but I assume he capsized and couldn't get back on/in. I'm convinced if he was waving a red flare that first boater would have noticed him. A whistle is a good idea but I'm not sure it can be heard over a 2 stroke outboard.

Having a flag on the back of the Yak helps folks see you too!;) Are you suggesting the boat spooked him and he flipped the Yak??

He was in thw water before the boat drove pst him. The point I was making was that a flare would have mde him much more visible to that boater, who drove past him twice without seeing or hearing him.