Radar, Reflectors and Sea Kayaks: A Visibility Study

Summer 2003 and 2004 Introduction Project History In recent years, sea kayaking has been cial and homemade radar reflectors in During the spring of 2003, two rounds growing in popularity throughout North increasing the visibility of sea kayaks on of preliminary visibility tests were America and especially in Maine. Sea radar. It is intended that the results of conducted with the Maine Association of kayakers are regularly observed along our this study will 1) raise awareness about Sea Kayak Guides and Instructors coastal shores; and sea kayak guides and the efficacy of radar reflectors on sea (MASKGI): one with the U.S. Coast outfitters are becoming a significant part kayaks; 2) provide all users of our Guard, the other with a lobsterman. Two of the working waterfront, with commer- coastal waters with knowledge to reduce conflicting sets of results emerged. cial operations spanning from Kittery to the risk of radar-equipped vessels Using a range of radar settings, the Coast Calais. With such popularity, the colliding with sea kayaks; and 3) begin a Guard radar was consistently able to potential for kayak collisions with larger dialog between motor-/sail- vessel detect sea kayaks at various levels of vessels increases dramatically. operators and sea kayakers along the intensity, depending on the model of Radar reflectors are used by sailboats, coast of Maine. radar reflector. The lobsterman’s radar, motorized recreational craft, and working This report summarizes the results of similar in caliber to the Coast Guard’s, boats of all sizes to increase their radar reflector tests conducted on the was NOT able to “see” any of the potential appearance on the radar of coast of Maine during the summers of paddlers, despite use of the same radar other vessels; the more obvious the 2003 and 2004. reflectors and similar sea conditions. “return” on a radar screen, the more The conflicting results of these prelimi- likely an attendant boat captain is to nary tests pointed to a need avoid collision. On the coast of Maine, for further systematic sea kayakers are increasingly using radar testing following a reflectors to increase their visibility, both repeatable study design. in an effort to avoid collision and to Maine Sea Grant, facilitate search and rescue operations in MASKGI, U.S. Coast the event of trouble. However, concrete Guard, Gulf of Maine information is lacking on just how Expedition Institute, and effective radar reflectors are in helping College of the Atlantic kayaks appear on radar. Conventional partnered to develop wisdom is that the higher a reflector is testing methodologies, run mounted aloft (such as on a sailboat’s field tests, and provide mast), the better radar signal it will results to sea kayakers and return. The intentional low-profile operators of radar- design of sea kayaks that makes them equipped vessels. For a comparatively sea worthy in the hands of complete list of project a capable paddler also makes sea kayaks participants, see back page. difficult to see, both with the naked eye and on a radar screen. Top picture: Field tester with The purpose of this study is to review Davis #153 radar reflector the effectiveness of a variety of commer- Preparing the first round of radar reflector trials at the College of the Atlantic dock, summer 2003. on stern deck. How does Radar Work? Glossary of radar terms Radar stands for RAdio Detection reflect wave energy back to its source. Blind spot: Any area outside the And Ranging. In the marine environ- There are blind spots, areas where an field of view of the radar. This is ment, radar refers to a system that object is completely out of the path of a generally meant to cover the area broadcasts radio waves (electromagnetic radar wave. Objects too close to a radar below the radar’s line-of-sight, energy) toward the horizon. When radar platform fall beneath the angle of the generally closer to the radar platform. waves hit an object or target, the waves radar wave, and therefore would not bounce or reflect. Some of that reflected show up on the radar screen; objects Clutter: Term applied to the energy returns toward its point of origin outside the range of the radar also will unwanted returns that appear on the where it is electronically rendered into a not show up. The choppiness of the radar screen. These are often spatial image on a radar screen (a water’s surface creates clutter or random returns from waves or precipitation. return). The monitor also shows the pixilated forms on the radar screen. To Gain: A variable control that adjusts location of the radar-equipped vessel, or the untrained, this clutter can appear to the radar’s sensitivity; it amplifies radar platform. With experience and be the return of an object. Raindrops can signals received. Typically adjust- training, this image can be readily also reflect radar waves and create a able from 0-100%. Tuning gain interpreted to represent the surrounding “snow-falling” pattern on the radar down toward zero reduces overall landscape and seascape. Landforms, screen. How the radar antenna (some- sensitivity; tuning gain up toward navigational aids, and other vessels will times referred to as the “radar array”) is 100% amplifies noise or clutter, be displayed as returns of varied size and mounted on a vessel can affect how the creating false signals or registering strength in their correct position. When radar signal is sent and whether it will features of little or no concern (such used in conjunction with hit a target at all. On as lobster buoys or waves). nautical charts or local radar-equipped vessels, knowledge, it is possible “Every radar installation the radar array tends to Noise: Unwanted energy gener- to identify these images is different.” be mounted either on a ated internal to the radar that can and avoid collision with —Andrew Peterson, mast or above the appear as a false signal on the radar objects on the water. Marine Superintendent, pilothouse. In choppy screen. In principle, radar College of the Atlantic conditions, radar arrays Radar Horizon: The line of sight operation is straightfor- mounted higher are of the radar. Radar arrays mounted ward. However, vessel better able to see down higher can see further than those operators should never assume that a lack into the troughs of waves; hence, kayaks mounted lower. In rough seas, the of returns means that there are no other are more likely to show up if the radar target might be obscured by a swell vessels or objects on the water. A variety settings are properly set. Proximity of at distances well short of the radar of factors affect the ability of targets to other objects on the radar-equipped horizon.

Radar reflector: Any device The group gathers for the third set of radar reflector trials, this one at the Boothbay specifically manufactured to reflect Harbor Coast Guard Station with the help of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Front row from radar waves back to a radar platform. left to right: Rich MacDonald, John Roscoe, Natalie Springuel, Gerry Vaillancourt, David The return, or signal, from a radar Lenz and Deb Swanton. Second row: Paul Travis, Gordon Nash, Mark Potter, LT Kevin reflector generally shows up on the King, Bob Loney, Jim Powers, Al Johnson and Dave Power. Bob Arledge is in the kayak at radar screen as an amorphous blob. far left. Radar scope: Another name for radar screen. Radar screen: The monitor on which radar signals are displayed for viewing. Rain clutter: Random dots on the radar screen generated from radar waves hitting raindrops or other precipitation. On the radar screen, this can create an effect that looks like it is “snowing.” Rain clutter does not represent “real” returns, and thus, the rain clutter control is generally used to filter out these features. (Continued on next page) vessel, such as life rafts, can affect the toward radar platforms, increasing the performance of the radar. strength of the return as a target on the (...continued from previous Modern radar units have adjustments radar screen. An increased radar return page) for sea clutter and rain clutter. Adjust- increases the probability of a boat being Range: The field of view of the ing the radar controls for sea clutter or seen by radar-equipped vessels. Sail- radar screen, typically a circle rain clutter affect the sensitivity of the boats, typically made of wood or (the center of the screen is the radar signal; thus, it is possible to fiberglass, often generate poor radar location of the radar antenna). eliminate the clutter created by choppy returns. To help alleviate this problem, For example, if the range is set seas or rain. Gain is another radar they have long used radar reflectors: to to one mile, then from the center adjustment. This affects overall sensitiv- make the best use of radar reflectors, of the radar screen to the outer ity, so adjusting gain can also reduce they are most often affixed to the top of edge of the screen is 1 mile clutter. the mast. This increased height of the (i.e., this is the radius of the Adjusting the sensitivity of a radar radar reflector is much more likely to radar screen—typical ranges unit is a balance between filtering out intercept radar waves and reflect a signal include ¼, ½, 1, and 2 miles). unwanted clutter or noise and accepting back to radar-equipped vessels for some level so that more objects can be definition on the radar screen. Return: Any signal that ap- observed. Many radar operators adjust Sea kayakers have a greater challenge pears on the radar screen sea clutter, rain clutter, and gain so as to when trying to increase their visibility to indicating an object within the filter out the maximum amount of clutter. radar-equipped vessels. A sea kayak’s range of the radar platform. However, this is sometimes done at the stability comes, in part, from its low Ring: These are electronic expense of other real targets. profile. Affixing a mast of any height, markers, in the form of The construction material and design even a couple of feet, with a radar concentric circles radiating out of the target object affects how well it reflector at its apex increases windage from the center, placed on the shows up on a radar screen. Landmasses, and thus decreases stability. In the event radar screen to aid in judging particularly with built-up vertical of capsize, a mast-mounted radar distances. Scale units for the surfaces such as cliffs or houses, reflect reflector hampers the ability of a sea circle or circles between the radar well. In contrast, low-lying, kayaker to perform an Eskimo roll or center of the radar screen and horizontal, or rounded and undeveloped attempt other rescue techniques. This the outer edge, or range, are landmasses (such as rocks, ledges, and creates a potentially significant hazard fractions of the range (typical bars) tend to disperse energy such that for a sea kayaker. Out of necessity, many rings include 1/8, ¼, ½, and 1 they do not show up on radar, or, if they sea kayakers have experimented with mile). do show up, not consistently. Similar alternative methods of either affixing a rules apply to boats. Larger vessels made radar reflector or developing new Scope: Another name for radar out of steel more readily reflect radar strategies with the intent of increasing screen. wave energy than smaller, lower profile visibility to radar-equipped vessels. Sea clutter: Term applied to vessels made out of wood, fiberglass, or Until this study, the effectiveness of the random dots on the radar plastic. radar reflectors for increasing the screen which appear as a result Radar reflectors are designed to visibility of sea kayaks, traditionally of radar waves reflecting off the reflect some of the radar waves back low-lying vessels, had not been tested. sea surface; heavier seas create more clutter on the radar screen. Sea clutter represents real but unwanted returns, and thus, the sea clutter control is generally used to filter out these features. Sensitivity: The degree to which the radar picks up undes- ired returns, whether from artifacts such as sea or rain clutter and other natural phe- nomena or from lobster buoys and other man-made features This radar screen shows one that do not pose a significant way that “noise” or “clutter” hazard to navigation. can appear on screen (pattern left of center). Picture taken on Signal: Any signal that appears board U.S. Coast Guard on the radar screen indicating an Auxiliary vessel on November 6, object within the range of the 2004, Boothbay Harbor, Maine. radar platform. Methodology The goal of this study was to assess same time, mooring locations for the adjusted. The kayaks always ran the methods for increasing sea kayak radar platform were determined. A data same course; so, to change distances, the visibility on radar. A variety of commer- form was created to ensure the same radar platform vessel would move and re- cial and homemade radar reflectors were information was collected for each run. anchor. tested against different radar settings to Radar settings—tuning, gain, range, and Once baseline data was established, assess each variable. Volunteers paddled rings—were recorded. the experimental portion of the study radar reflector-equipped sea kayaks Each kayak was paddled, one at a began. Each kayak was rigged with a along an established course to determine time, along the course without any radar radar reflector (see the picture and how well they showed up on the radar. reflector to determine its “baseline” radar caption below for a list of commercial These studies were repeated at three signature. This represented a “run.” and homemade radar reflectors used). locations over two paddling seasons: Optimal radar settings were used. The procedure was similar to that used • 18-19 August 2003. College of the Aboard the radar platform, a qualitative for gathering baseline data: radar Atlantic, Bar Harbor. The college’s sliding scale was used to rank the settings were recorded and kayaks were research vessel, Indigo, was the radar strength of the radar signal (or return). paddled one at a time along the course, 1/ platform. The captain and one volunteer monitored 8 mile from the radar platform. However, • 06 July 2004. U.S. Coast Guard the radar scope and called out “zero,” the experimental portion varied in that Group Southwest Harbor. U.S. Coast “one,” or “two” with each sweep of the each kayak ran the course again, but with Guard vessel CG 55120 was the radar radar. “Zero” indicated no signal; “one” the radar platform adjusting gain. Gain platform. indicated a weak to moderate signal; and was adjusted to get the best return from • 06 November 2004. U.S. Coast “two” indicated a strong signal. Another the kayak while allowing for some Guard Station, Boothbay Harbor. U.S. volunteer recorded this data on the minimal amount of clutter deemed Coast Guard Auxiliary vessel Equinox dataform. Initially, up to 100 sweeps of acceptable by the captain. was the radar platform. the radar were recorded. After reviewing The radar platform was moved and the The experimental design for each the first day’s data, it was clear that 30- whole sequence repeated for each location was the same. Local nautical 50 sweeps of the radar would be ad- distance (¼ and ½ mile). As with the charts were used to establish a course for equate. Each run was at a predetermined baseline runs, range and rings were the volunteer kayakers to paddle. distance from the radar platform: adjusted at ½ mile. Subsequently, all Courses were generally perpendicular to typically 1/8, ¼, and ½ mile. At the ½- data were entered into a relational the bow of the radar platform. At the mile point, the range and rings were database to facilitate analyses.

Radar Reflector Models Tested 2 1 1 RadarFlag 24" x 36" U.S. ensign; 9 2 RadarFlag standard kayak flag; 3 8 3 10-quart aluminum “chili pot”; 7 4 19" PVC tube filled with crushed 6 aluminum foil (homemade); 4 5 5 Kayak Watchdog; 6 Stalker Radar Super Reflector; 7 Hamilton Marine collapsible radar reflector; 8 Davis # 151 gold foil radar reflector; 9 Davis # 153 aluminum radar reflector; 10 10 space blanket worn as a cape (Academy Broadway Camper’s Emer- gency Blanket (item no. 50330; 84" x 52" aluminum laminated polyethylene).

Reflectors tested but not pictured here: A North Water Paddle Sports Equipment 30SK-25R Radar Reflec- tive Paddlefloat; B North Water Paddle Sports Equipment 30SK-51R Radar Reflective Expedition Deck Bag; C Homemade: broad-brimmed hat covered in aluminum foil; D Homemade: PFD with vertical bands of TrimBrite Products Metal Mend Tape; E Homemade: vest lined with space blanket, vest lined with other reflective mate- rial; F aluminum foil crunched up and worn over a hat. Discussion & Results This study investigated the effective- ness of a variety of commercial and homemade radar reflectors for increasing kayak visibility on radar. There are two major variables: the kayak and the radar platform. The following discussion explores the data collected and the lessons learned during this study. To illustrate the importance of Kayaks traveling in a tight pod, like this group during our Southwest Harbor providing a good radar return, consider trials, are more likely to be seen on radar than kayaks spread apart. that a boat traveling at 15 knots covers ¼ nautical mile (nm) in 60 seconds. When structed or confused returns, exemplify- radar screen. One additional experimen- correlated with our results—that kayaks ing the challenges a radar operator has for tal design introduced in Southwest are generally only visible at less than ½ maintaining orientation to all potential Harbor was having all kayaks paddle nm—the window of radar visibility for obstacles. Regardless of which commer- together in a tight pod: the radar return the boat operator to detect a kayak is one cial or homemade radar reflector was was significant. to two minutes. Boat operators, espe- used, the kayaks generally did not show Our third round of field tests in cially commercial fishermen, tend to be up on the radar except at the closest Boothbay Harbor had several goals: 1) focused on multiple tasks when in distance (1/8 nautical mile). Given a different radar platform and motion. In reduced visibility, this We identified the need to vary radar operator, could we repeat our Southwest provides little opportunity for the boat settings, particularly gain. Gain adjusts Harbor results? 2) Which, if any, operator to define and discriminate the sensitivity of the radar; it may be the combination of radar reflector and radar objects on radar. In addition, in order to most important adjustment for increasing settings are most effective at generating a detect potential collisions with other detectability of sea kayaks. Varying gain return from a sea kayak? 3) Does the large vessels, boat operators tend to set adjusts the amount of unwanted signals construction material of a sea kayak affect their radars at longer ranges than those showing up on the radar screen. Tuning radar visibility? used in these field tests. Furthermore, gain down reduces the number of false Upon completion of the Boothbay they typically adjust their radar settings to signals or signals from small objects, such Harbor tests, data from all three sets of exclude clutter in order to reduce the as lobster buoys…or kayaks. When gain field tests were entered into a relational number of objects that need to be is turned up, the number of returns is database. To facilitate comparison among defined. This often eliminates sea kayaks greatly increased. This can pose a field tests, we developed a “visibility from showing up on their radar screen. challenge to the radar operator in factor.” During testing, as described in For fishermen, adjusting to the deciphering what is just “clutter” and the methodology section, each radar dramatic growth in the numbers of sea what is a target of interest. return was ranked on a three-point scale. kayakers can be a challenge. However, During our second field tests in The visibility factor for each individual the fact remains that more and more Southwest Harbor with the U.S. Coast kayak/reflector combination, is an average kayakers are taking to the coasts, and Guard, we assessed the effectiveness of of these scores and can range from 0 to 2; increasing numbers of guides and radar reflectors to return hits at various the higher the number, the more visible outfitters are joining the ranks of the radar settings. In addition to gain, we that particular radar reflector was on working waterfront by making their living experimented with radar. from the sea. range. Range is the Our first radar reflector field test (in scaled distance from Bar Harbor) was designed to generate the center point of baseline data. As defined by the boat the radar screen operator, “optimal” radar settings were (which is the used so as to filter out unwanted clutter. location of the radar The area where we conducted this first platform) to the study contained numerous obstacles— edge of the screen. islands, floats, moorings, and other Increasing range marine traffic, including a large locally- increases the area guided group of kayakers—that ob- displayed on the

Figure 1. Visibility Factor SummaryResults: Visibility factor is an average of the radar return for each radar sweep, on a three point scale (0, 1 and 2, with 2 being the strongest signal). This graphic represents a general average of the visibility factor in all the testing for all the kayaks. This is to highlight the relationship between kayak visibility on radar and distance from the radar platforms. Based on the three sets of field tests, factor: Kevlar sea kayaks were equally It is important to allow radar three we made the following findings con- visible as those made of polyethylene sweeps to help identify questionable cerning the effectiveness of commercial (figure 5). returns. and homemade radar reflectors for 4. Kayaks paddling closely together in 8. The visibility factor decreases with increasing kayak visibility on radar. a pod formation produce a much more distance away from the radar platform 1. Choose and mount your reflector significant radar return than a kayak (figure 1). Generally, sea kayaks 1 mile wisely. Commercial and homemade paddling singly with a radar reflector. from the radar platform are not visible on radar, whether or not they have reflectors. radar reflectors provide increasingly 5. At both 1/8 and ¼ nautical mile better visibility as height above waterline from the radar platform, kayaks 9. The higher a radar antenna is is maximized (e.g., a radar-reflective hat consistently showed up on radar, mounted on a vessel, the less effect sea provides better visibility on radar than a regardless of whether there was a state has on kayak visibility (figure 4). deck bag made of radar reflective reflector in use or not. Beginning at ½ It is important that the radar antenna be materials). nautical mile, kayaks produced an mounted with no obstructions, such as 2. The greater the “angularity” of a obvious radar signal less than 10% of life rafts, impeding line of sight to the radar reflector, the greater its visibil- the time (fig. 2). horizon. ity factor (e.g., the Davis 153 and the 6. The angle of the sea kayak to the 10. Motion of the radar platform can homemade tin foil hat, both with sharp radar platform affects visibility: a sea reduce its effectiveness at picking up angles, generated stronger radar returns kayak perpendicular to the radar targets. One Coast Guardsman said that than smooth radar-reflective surfaces platform has a greater visibility factor the bows of typical Maine lobster boats such as deck bags, flags, or vests). than one whose bow or stern is facing tend to point upward when traveling at 3. The larger the kayak, the greater the radar platform. cruising speeds. Therefore, radar waves may completely miss an object low to the its visibility factor. The tandem sea 7. Changing gain and sea clutter on waterline, such as a kayak. kayak turned up much better than the the radar screen will increase the solo sea kayaks, regardless of radar ability to detect kayaks (figure 3). 11. The strength of the return is the reflector. The material a sea kayak is However, this comes at the cost of dominant factor. Even with radar made of had little effect on visibility additional background clutter or noise. reflectors, the strength of the return is more of a driving factor than the radar horizon. In other words, the strength of the return may fall short of the radar horizon. 12. Radar is only effective when it is being watched; if the radar is not being attended, then the quality of the radar signal produced by a sea kayak is irrelevant. Switching out reflectors during the third radar reflector visibility trials. Boothbay Harbor, Maine.

Figure 2. Kayak Radar Visibility Results: This graphic is a comparison of 10 types of reflectors at two of the test distances. This highlights the performance of various reflectors during testing. We can also correlate reflector height above the waterline with performance. The higher reflectors, Foil Hat and Flag, Figure 3. Gain Settings [1/2 mile distance]: This graphic demonstrated less performance degradation at the increased shows the impact the radar unit GAIN setting has on visibility. distance. Conclusions and Recommendations It is increasingly important for sea eight trihedral shapes; e.g., kayakers and boat operators to minimize Davis 153) are best mounted variables that increase the potential of in the “catch-rain” position collision or reduce the effectiveness of with one trihedral facing up, radar reflectors and radar platforms. one facing down, and the Some variables should be addressed by remaining six optimally sea kayakers, some by boat operators, positioned to reflect radar and some require further research and waves. development. Applied collectively, the Radar reflectors are one likelihood of kayaker/boater conflict component of any paddler’s should decrease and all boaters can ply safety preparations. Al- the seas with greater peace of mind. though they do not guarantee visibility, used in combina- Recommendations for paddlers tion with other safe sea Due to a combination of height and angles, Based on our field tests, we found kayaking practices, they can enhance this homemade “hat reflector” generated that some form of radar reflector, be it safety. When traveling with one reflector among the clearest returns. commercially manufactured or home- for a group—as is often the case on made, is better than none and bigger guided tours—paddlers should travel in a Recommendations for radar operators radar reflectors produce better returns. tight pod. Tight pods increase the size of Radar is only as effective as its Radar reflector design needs to be the return and thus increase the chances installation. Obstructions, such as life functional for paddling. While our field of being identified by radar operators. rafts, placed in front of the radar antenna tests and common sense dictate that a Plan crossings for narrow channels and impede proper radar operations. Settings solo kayak equipped with a radar known navigation references (i.e., need to be optimized for a combination reflector atop a four-foot mast may be navigation buoys). Make securité calls of clear returns without filtering out too optimal for visibility, it is neither on VHF channel 16 to advise other many real targets. For radar to work at practical nor safe to do so. Such a boating traffic that a crossing is under- all, it must be monitored, especially in reflector increases windage, thus way, and specify exact points of cross- fog. And, not surprisingly, higher end decreasing kayak stability. A mast- ing. This provides a reference point to radar systems mounted at the highest mounted reflector can also impair the boat operator to slow speed and elevation above the waterline produce the rescues. change radar settings in order to find the best results. Mount radar reflectors so that they group on the radar screen. will generate the greatest return. Octahe- dral reflectors (those made of three intersecting, right-angle planes forming

Figure 5. Radar Visibility - Drop Off Distance. As paddlers moved away from the radar platform, the distance in miles where the radar return was lost is called the “drop off.” This graphic shows the radar “drop off” point for various boats. In this test Figure 4. Kayak Radar Visibility -- Effect of Sea State the paddlers were moving directly away from the radar vessel. This graphic compares the SW Harbor data (calm seas) with the SINGLE[K] - single person kayak, Kevlar construction BB Harbor data (3 ft. chop). Differences based on sea state were SINGLE[P] - single person kayak, Plastic construction not as large as expected. TANDEM[G] - tandem kayak, Fiberglass construction collision. great stepindecreasingchancesof regions, harbors,andinshorewaters,isa kayak territory,suchasisland-studded Navigatingcautiouslyinknown mate targetsandfalsereturns. sweeps todifferentiatebetweenlegiti- idea tolettheradarmakeatleastthree If atargetlookssuspicious,itisgood indefinitely thewayatrueechowould. tions: falsereturnsdonotrepeat screen throughmultipleradarrevolu- Beforealteringsettings,watchthe legitimate targets. noise withoutfilteringoutsmallbut line tosettingtheradarminimize noise andanactualtarget.Thereisafine takes practicetodifferentiatebetween time. Ourfieldtestsdemonstratedthatit takes properinstruction,practice,and Effectivelysettingandreadingradar mounted suchthatitdoesnotinterfere and instability.Itwouldneedtobe the kayak’slowprofiletolimitwindage cally forkayakswouldneedtomaintain Aradarreflectordesignedspecifi- larger vessels,wasawkwardatbest. other reflectors,whichwereintendedfor mounting onakayak.Mountingthe and evenitneededmodificationsfor kayakers inmind(theKayakWatchdog) field tests,onlyonewasdesignedwith commercial reflectorsincludedinthese specifically forkayaks.Ofallthe innovations insafetyequipmentdesigned own—take totheseas,thereisaneedfor whether onguidedtoursortheir Asmoreandseakayakers— and development Recommendations forfutureresearch MSG-TR-05-01 Principal ProjectCollaborators: (U.S. CoastGuardResearch&DevelopmentCenter,Groton,CT; TomTeller,AviationProfessor,DanielWebsterCollege). Turner); Kayaking, JessicaHerbertandPaigeRutherfordofCoastalKayaking Tours); Hillary Hudson,deckhandCoryWhitney) Auxiliary Aids toNavigationteam); and LTKevinKing,OfficeofSearchRescue); Project supportersandvolunteers: Data compilationservices: Study andreportauthorsdesigners:

Southern MaineSeaKayakNetwork (Bob Loney,GordonNash,MarkPotter,JimPowers,DavePower);

U.S. CoastGuardStationBoothbayHarbor

Norumbega TechnologiesInc.,Bangor,Maine ;

Kayak guides

U.S. CoastGuard reflective material.Lifejacketsand could designanewhatwithbuilt-in yielded decentresults;amanufacturer that crushedaluminuminapaddler’shat achieves. Ourfieldtestsdemonstrated utilized totakeadvantageoftheheightit clothing. Thepaddlebladecouldbe existing seakayakingequipmentand reflective materialsanddesignswithin consider includeincorporatingradar Someoptionsmanufacturersmight reflectors includedinthisstudy. proven byseveralofthehomemade are notinsurmountable,ashasbeen do notmeettheseneeds,thelimitations Although conventionalmodelscurrently interfere withotherdeckriggingsystems. to carryandaffixthekayak,not rolls. Anditwouldneedtobelight,easy with self-orassisted-rescuesEskimo

(Bob Arledge,DavidLenz,JonathanPershouse,DebSwanton,Gerry Vaillancourt;

Natalie Springuel,PaulTravis,RichardMacDonald. U.S. CoastGuardGroupSouthwestHarbor (Chuck HerrickofNationalParkKayakTours,JohnRoscoeSalt &Stone

(First CoastGuardDistrictRecreationalBoatingSafetySpecialist AlJohnson Even onaclearday,kayaksarehardtoseefromthecabinofthisCoast

Guard Auxiliaryvessel.Radarreflectorscanhelpincreasevisibility. (Chief DonHolcomb,Officer-in-Charge);

College oftheAtlantic Mount DesertIslandPaddlersClub 04609, 207-288-5015x298. College oftheAtlantic,105Eden St.,BarHarbor,ME For moreinformation: www.seagrant.umaine.edu.

with kayakersinmind. by designingradarreflectorsspecifically manufacturers todevelopanewmarket there isatremendousopportunityfor portable, affordabledevice. used byboats—couldleadtoanew, signal ontheradarfrequenciestypically radar reflectors—reflectorsthattransmita tors. features typicalofhighlyvisiblereflec- are thattheyeliminatetheangular have somelimitations,notleastofwhich cloth materialscurrentlyonthemarket these possibledesigns.Radar-reflective Moreresearchisneededoneachof the kayak’shulldesign. incorporating reflectivematerialwithin a needtoresearchthepotentialfor reflective materialaswell.Thereisalso paddling jacketscouldbeoutfittedwith (LTJG TomGorgol,ChiefKenHillandthe ( Alternatively, investigatingactive Captains AndrewPetersonand MaineSeaGrantExtension [email protected]. U.S. CoastGuard (George Mitchell,Sue Overall, Advisors