Maine Guide Training

Home , Fort Gorges, Head of tide, Rule of twelfths

2021 History of Maine Guides

● First hired guides in Maine were Abenaki people who led European explorers, military officials, traders, priests and lumbermen.

● Guiding industry emerged in late 1900s as people in more urban and industrialized regions sought wilderness for recreation

● Cornelia “Fly Rod” Crosby was first guide licensed in 1897; 1700 others were licensed that year. Maine’s Legal Deﬁnition of “Guide”

Any person who receives any form of remuneration for his services in accompanying or assisting any person in the fields, forests or on the waters or ice within the jurisdiction of the State while hunting, fishing, trapping, boating, snowmobiling or camping at a primitive camping area. Sea Kayaking Guide Specialization

Guides can lead paddlesports trips on the State's territorial seas and tributaries of the State up to the head of tide and out to the three mile limit. This classification includes overnight camping trips in conjunction with those sea-kayaking and paddlesports. Testing Process

1. Criminal Background Check

2. Oral Examination

■ Chart and compass work ■ Catastrophic scenario

3. Written Examination (minimum score of 70 to pass) What Maine Sea Kayak Guides CAn Do

● Lead commercial sea kayaking and SUP trips on Maine’s coastal waters

● Lead overnight camping trips associated with these trips (new as of 2005)

● Lead trips with up to 12 people per guide What Sea Kayak Guides CAN’T Do

● Lead paddling trips on inland waters (by kayak, canoe, SUP or raft)

● Take clients fishing or hunting

● Lead trips that require another type of guide license What are the qualities that you most appreciated in guides you’ve encountered?

● Wilderness Guide Association’s Deﬁnition of a Guide

A trained and experienced professional with a high level of nature awareness. A Wilderness Guide is competent to develop, organize, promote and guide activities: ● In a safe way ● In remote natural landscapes ● With a high level of self-sufficiency ● According the level of training, experience and legal competences. American Canoe Association

ACA offers a 5-level certification system for coastal kayaking instructors that is internationally-recognized.

Most experienced sea kayak guides and instructors in other states have some level of ACA-certification. First Aid Credentials

● Standard First Aid & CPR (required for Maine Guides)

● Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness First Aid

○ Strongly recommended for any guide leading clients into environments where medical help is not easily accessible. ○ Offered by NOLs, Wilderness Medical Associates, SOLO Maine Association of Sea Kayak Guide and Instructors (MASKGI)

Non-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to raising professional standards for those guiding and teaching sea kayaking and stand up paddle boarding on the coast of Maine.

Members are sea kayak and stand up paddle board outfitters, guides, and instructors.

maski.org Unique Characteristics of the Gulf of Maine:

● Cold waters ● Extreme tides ● Diverse bottom ● Freshwater outflow of large river systems Nautical Charts

Like a map, but different in important ways Features include: ● Shoreline qualities (mud, beach, cliff, etc.) ● Obstructions to navigation (rocks, sand bars, whirlpools, shipwrecks, etc.) ● Aids to navigation (lighthouses, buoys, etc.) ● Water depths (soundings) ● Intertidal zone NEVER CALL A CHART A MAP Extract as much information as you can from your nautical chart about the area you’re paddling

Find charts online at www.charts.noaa.gov

Green = Intertidal Zone Identifying Chart Features

Find the following on the Casco Bay Chart: 1. A dock or pier. 2. A beach. 3. An exposed rock. 4. An area with around 80 feet of depth. 5. A shipwreck. 6. A shoreline with cliffs 7. Two islands that are connected at low tide.

Gridlines

Longitude lines appear vertical

Latitude lines appear horizontal (like a ladder) Use Nautical Miles for Speed & Distance

1 nautical mile = 1.15 statute mile

Nautical miles are slightly longer

1 nautical mile per hour = 1 knot

Example: “The wind is blowing 40 knots” Measuring Distance in Nautical Miles

1 minute of latitude = 1 nautical mile

Latitude can be an easy way to measure distance on a chart Photo: sailingissues.com

Green Cans - Red Nuns - Usually odd Usually even numbers numbers

G “11” Fl G 4 sec BELL

Green can number 11 flashes green every 4

seconds and has a bell Gp Oc(3) W 10s 15m 10M This lighthouse has a group occulting light in which a group of three eclipses repeat every 10 seconds; the light is white; the light is 15 meters high and is visible for 10 nautical miles Compass Rose The Three Elements of Sea Kayak Guiding

GEAR ~ GROUP ~ ENVIRONMENT ● Kayak, paddle, PFD, sprayskirt ● Navigation equipment ● First Aid Supplies ● Camping Equipment Gear ● Appropriate clothing ● Hypothermia Kit ● Water & Food ● Communication devices (VHF, cell phone, flares) Who are you guiding?

● Skill level ● Medical history ● Goals Group ● Fears

Are they… ● Well-fed? ● Excited to paddle? ● Well-rested? ● In good health? ● Wind direction and speed? ● Tides? ● Expected currents? ● Sea state ● Air & water temp Environment ● Wildlife? ● Boat traffic? ● Public access ● Areas with breaking waves? ● Other unique qualities of the environment? Risk Management & Guiding

We cannot completely eliminate risk and create “safe” experiences for clients.

Instead, our job as guides is to minimize risks and facilitate experiences with an acceptable level of risk.

Tips: ● Avoid using the words “safe” and “unsafe” ● Be transparent with clients about risks ● Prioritize risks; focus on the big ones, not the minor ones. Group has all gear it needs in good GEAR condition ✔ ✔

Everyone is prepared, healthy and GROUP has adequate skills Somebody is feeling seasick ✔ and has difficulty paddling

Conditions are appropriate for the group, with no changes in weather ENVIRONMENT ✔ or sea state forecasted ✔

RISK LEVEL Low Risk -- IDEAL TRIP! Low to Medium Risk Kayak was too small for a large GEAR person, leading to a capsize

Capsized person becomes GROUP hypothermic

15 knot winds; breaking waves on all ENVIRONMENT nearby shorelines

RISK LEVEL Very high risk GEAR

PEOPLE

ENVIRONMENT

RISK LEVEL Very High Risk What are some risks you might encounter off the water?

● Tricky terrain (slipping on seaweed, etc.) ● Red tide ● Poison ivy ● Browntail moths ● Ticks ● Cooking accidents (cuts, burns, etc.) ● Heat stroke Ram Island Light Evaluating Incident Report #2

1. How did the nature of the gear in this situation contribute to the outcome?

2. How did the nature of the group in this situation contribute to the outcome?

3. How did the nature of the environment during this trip contribute to the outcome?

#2 Dead Reckoning

1. You’ve started paddling from the northern tip of Bangs Island at 9:15am and you’ve reached the southern end of Little Birch Island at 10:15. What is the approximate speed you’ve been paddling?

2. You left Eagle Island at 11am and it’s now 1:30pm. You estimate you’ve been paddling at a speed of 2 knots. Roughly how many miles have you paddled? Answers

1. You’ve traveled at roughly 1 knot

2. You’ve traveled roughly 5 nautical miles. Navigation

The Art of Staying Found When Are Navigation Skills especially Important for Guides?

Leading trips in unfamiliar areas Leading trips in fog, rain, at night or in other limited or areas with lots of islands visibility conditions and/or a complex coastline CORE NAVIGATION CONCEPTS & SKILLS

Piloting and Navigation

True and Magnetic

Bearing, Course and Heading

Dead reckoning

Using a Range

Triangulation Bearing, Course and Heading

Course - the intended track you will cover when traveling from A to B Bearing - The calculation of the relationship between A and B expressed in degrees Heading - the angle your boat will be set (or pointed)in order to achieve your intended course adjusted for set and drift. Always track the four main ingredients of navigation

Direction Speed

Time Distance Aids to Navigation - ATON

Visible - Buoys, Lighthouses, Towers, Docks and piers, Land contours, Shoreline features Auditory - Fog horns, Bells, Gongs, Auto traffic, Waves Sensory - Wind direction, current direction Always carry the key tools needed for navigation

Nautical chart Compass Clock GPS Pay attention to navigational aids and geographic features when you’re paddling

True and Magnetic

The difference is expressed as Variation

Check the compass rose to find the variation ● Adjusting for variation from Chart to Environment - True to magnetic - add ● Adjusting for variation from Environment to Chart - Magnetic to true - subtract

If you’re paddling in the San Juans the variation will be east reverse your math

Magenetic North vs. True North

Compass = Magnetic Chart = True

Compass Rose Not good at math? Use the Compass Rose

Use any straight edge to read true and north at the same time.

It’s easy to read backbearings this way too. Translating Between True & Magnetic

Assume these bearings are for Casco Bay 1. 55°True = __° Magnetic

2. 245°Magnetic = __° True

3. 5° True = __° Magnetic Answers

1. 70° Magnetic

2. 230° True

3. 20° Magnetic Bearings

Taking a bearing from the chart using a hand held compass as a protractor - calculating for variation

Taking a bearing from a chart using parallel rules and compass rose - no need to calculate

Taking a bearing from the shore or from your boat. (To be covered in person.) 3 steps to use your compass to take a Bearing on a Chart Step One SSTEP

Place the edge of your base plate along The course you intend To do. Make sure the direction of travel Arrow is oriented properly. Step two Step

Rotate the bezel so that the grid lines.

Align with the grid lines on the chart

Make sure that north aligns with north on your chart. Step three

Read your direction Of travel at the arrow. Remember that you are using your compass as a plotter or protractor. Your finding will be a TRUE direction. Adjust for variation. Take Bearings between Little Chebeague to Clapboard Island

Find the true and magnetic bearings for these two crossings. 4 Steps to take a bearing with Parallel Rules

A great option if you’re onshore. Not so easy on the water. Step One Step

Place the edge of your parallel rule on your intended course. Draw a line if

You like. Pay attention to your direction of travel. Step two St

Walk your parallel rule Toward the closest compass rose. Don’t let it wiggle. Step three

Place the edge of your rule on the

X in the middle of the compass rose. Step 4 S

Read the degree On the inside Circle. Pay Attention to your direction of travel. No need to adjust for variation because the rose adjusts for us. Backbearing To find your way back add or subtract 180 degrees to your course.

Example:

Intended course - 145 degrees add 180 =back bearing of 325 degrees

If adding puts you higher than 360 degrees subtract

Example:

Intended course - 190 degrees - subtract 180 degrees = backbearing 10 degrees What are the backbearings for these crossings? Take a Bearing & Backbearing from Fish Point to Fort Gorges

Record both true and magnetic Dead Reckoning

1. Start from a known position or fix 2. Know how fast you travel 3. Note time traveled. 4. Calculate distance travel based on speed and time.

Speed x Time = Distance

Factor direction of travel to find position. (Time = the amount of time underway) Paddling at a speed of 2 knots

5 Nautical Miles

Departed at 12pm; it’s now 2pm Speed

At what speed are you traveling?

Sea kayakers tend to average 2-3 knots, with fast paddlers often reaching 5+ knots. In general, the larger the group the slower the average speed. Time

What timed did you start? What time is it now? How much time has passed since you were at your last known position or fix? Distance

1 minute of latitude = 1 nautical mile

Latitude can be an easy way to measure distance on a chart Direction

In what direction should you travel to reach your destination? In what direction have you been traveling from your last known position? Using dividers

For table top course planning there are a number of great tools. Dividers Protractors Parallel Rules Plotters

#2 Dead Reckoning

2. You left Eagle Island at 11am and it’s now 1:30pm. You estimate you’ve been paddling at a speed of 2 knots. Roughly how many miles have you paddled? Answers

1. You’ve traveled at roughly 1 knot

2. You’ve traveled roughly 5 nautical miles. Using a Range Align two objects well ahead of you in your visual field.

Notice the apparent relationship between the two.

Paddle a course that allows you to maintain that relationship in your visual field.

If the closer object appears to be moving left you are drifting to the right.

If the closer object appears to be moving right you are drifting to the left.

Adjust to maintain a straight course. Tides Neap Tide vs. Spring Tide

Neap = Smallest tide cycles (lowest highs and highest lows)

Spring = Biggest tide cycles (highest highs and lowest lows)

Tides are highest on the new and the full moon phases when the gravitational forces of the sun and the moon work together.

Tides are lowest on the half moon phases when the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun work against each other. Gravitational Force

Inertia

Centrifical Force

Proximity

Tidal Cycles

Diurnal

Semi-Diurnal (Maine)

Mixed Semi-Diurnal: Two highs and two lows A “tidal day” is 24.8 hours.

There are 12.4 hours between one high tide and the next. Tide Stations in Southern Maine

Tide charts and other data from each of these stations can be found on NOAA’s website.

The link is on our course webpage.

Maine Harbors Tide Chart The Rule of Twelfths

Graphic: eOceanic Tidal Range

Casco Bay’s mean tidal range = 9 feet Source: Researchgate.com Intertidal Zone

Four Zones:

● Splash Zone. ● Upper Littoral Zone ● Mid-Littoral Zone ● Lower Littoral Zone May Tide Chart, Portland Harbor Currents

Types of Currents

Ocean Currents River Currents Rip Currents Tidal Currents River Currents Gravity pulls water from higher elevation to lower elevations.

Near river mouths these currents interact with various ocean currents Rip Currents

Source: Live Science Strong, localized current of water moving directly away from the shore, cutting through breaking waves like a river running out to sea Rip Currents

Source: Live Science Tidal Currents

Blue Hill Falls

Photo:Andy Gagne When are tidal currents Fastest/slowest?

Between high and low tide the water accelerates to reach maximum speed (max flood or max ebb)...

...then slows until it changes direction (slack water). Geographic Features Casco Bay has that Affect Currents many features that constrict ● Shallows tidal flow, ● Surf causing ● Headlands faster currents ● Cliffs ● River mouths ● Ledges ● Bathymetry Lower Hell Gate

Large volumes of water flowing through a narrow channel creates tidal rapid. SouthWest of Fort Gorges in Portland Harbor

Currents from Fore River and eastern harbor combine to create turbulent waters Estimated direction of currents during a flood tide in Portland harbor

Source: Casco Bay Estuary Partnership Currents: Friend or Foe? Current Predictions Cow Island, NE of (CAB1413) Depth: 13 feet

tidesandcurrents.n oaa.gov/ Winds Why do Sea Kayakers Pay so much attention to Wind?

Wind.... ● Creates waves ● Makes it difficult to control your boat’s direction of travel ● Slows your progress -- or gives you a boost. ● Makes it more difficult to communicate and stay grouped together. Prevailing Winds on the Maine coast

During the prime paddling season (June-August) southwesterly winds are most common. Southwesterly sea breezes tend to pick up in the afternoon. Morning and evening are the best times for paddling. Gulf of Maine Buoy Annual Averages, 2010-2021

Source: windfinder.com GOM Buoy, Annual Wind Speed Averages

Summer winds on the Maine coast tend to be southwesterly and average around 10 knots

Source: windfinder.com Fetch The distance the wind has traveled over open water More Fetch = Bigger Waves In a westerly wind there is fetch of about .5 ½ Mile miles where the star is positioned In a northeasterly wind there is essentially no fetch where the star is positioned In southeasterly winds the fetch could be up to 4 miles where the star is positioned!

Expect big waves if winds are strong. How does a Beam Wind affect a sea kayaker? You are paddling Northeast and a 10 knot wind is blowing from the Southeast. How will this wind

impact you? Wind 10 knots

Which direction will your kayak want to turn? Weathercocking

The tendency of a moving kayak to turn into the wind.

Caused by a difference in pressure between the bow and stern of your kayak.

Graphic: Gregstamer.com How to cope with Weather Cocking?

1. Your handy sweep stroke! 2. Edging 3. Rudder or skeg 4. Boat design 5. Avoiding beam winds Prepare Clients for weathercocking before you start paddling

You know when weathercocking will happen. Explain to clients how to deal with it Wind 10 knots before they veer off course. Indicators of wind speed & direction Beaufort Wind Scale Beaufort #1: Light Air, 2-3 knots

Ripples with the appearance of scales are formed, without foam crests Beaufort #2: Light Breeze, 4-6 knots

Small wavelets, have crests have glassy appearance but do not break Beaufort #3: Gentle Breeze, 7-10 knots

Large wavelets, crests begin to break; foam of glassy appearance Beaufort #6: Strong Breeze, 22-27 knots

Large waves begin to form, white foam crests are more widespread; some spray Beaufort #12: Hurricane force, 63+ knots

Air is filled with foam and spray; sea is almost mostly white with driving spray Other Resources for Assessing Wind Conditions & Sea State

Buoy observations: Real-time data from buoys on wind, temperatures.

Webcams: Many lighthouses and other coastal landmarks have live webcams that offer a look at the current sea state. The power & unpredictability of wind

July 8, 2018 around 5pm After the Microburst... Waves Rock Gardening

Source: Paddler Magazine Important Wave Terms

Wave length – distance between crests or troughs. Wave height – distance from base to the crest. Wave period – Time for peaks to pass a point. Types of Waves: Ocean Swell Caused by an often distant gale or seismic disturbance.

Only encountered in areas exposed to vast open waters. Types of Waves: WInd Waves (Chop)

Caused by wind moving over water.

Can be encountered on any body of water.

You’re unlikely to encounter swell when paddling with land between you and the open ocean Today’s Marine Forecast for Casco Bay

E WINDS 10 TO 15 KT WITH GUSTS UP TO 25 KT. SEAS 1 TO 2 FT, BUILDING TO 2 TO 3 FT IN THE AFTERNOON. RAIN LIKELY, MAINLY IN THE MORNING.

Would a kayaker on Casco Bay encounter significant waves today? Types of Waves: Breaking Waves

When the wave height becomes 1.3 times the water depth, the crest falls, forming a breaker Three main types of Breakers

Spilling: Gently sloped beach. Breaks far from shore Plunging: Moderate sloped beach. Surging: Steeply sloped beach. Breaks close to shore. Where are you likely to ﬁnd Breaking waves?

● Exposed rocks ● Shallow areas ● Beaches ● Sandbars Types of Waves: Refracting Waves Clapotis

When waves moving in different directions encounter each other. Assessing Conditions You plan to guide a group of 6 novice paddlers tomorrow at 11am from Fort Gorges to Vail Island.

1. What can you expect in terms of tides, currents, winds and waves? 2. How would you minimize exposure to challenging conditions? 3. Is this a good idea or should you revise your plan? Adjusting Heading to Account for Conditions Exercise #1: Assessing Conditions A

What would happen if you paddled from point A with a heading of Whaleboat YouIsland? would end up following the yellow line.

To avoid that you’d use the heading of the pink B line. Use ranges to Gauge how currents & Wind are Affecting you

Track how quickly the objects are moving apart from each other as you drift. Using a Ferry Angle

A ferry angle is the difference between your course and your heading when you are crossing open water between two points. You use a ferry angle to avoid taking a longer and less direct course due to the effect of currents or winds. Longer Crossings are higher stakes Mariner Radio Activated Sound Signals

Key your radio 5 times on 81 or 83 What gear is legally required?

The U.S. Coast Guard requires that all paddlers on coastal U.S. waters have the following on their vessel: ● Personal Floatation Device (PFD)

● Sound Producing Device (whistle, fog horn)

● Visual Distress Signals (VDS) (required at night only; must be

designed for nighttime use)

● Navigational Lights (required at night only) - “all round

white light or electric torch or lighted lantern showing a

white light” Visual Distress Signals

It’s best to include both pyrotechnic & non-pyrotechnic VDS in your guide gear Boating Laws Related to Lights

Paddlers are only required to have “all-round white light” True or False? You should wear a PFD (not just carry one) because…

It’s the law. False!

It can be very difficult to put on a PFD while True! treading water.

The majority of paddlesports fatalities involve True! people not wearing PFDs

Cold water will make it much more difficult to swim and stay afloat, and the PFD will keep more of your True! body out of the water.

There are PFDs designed specifically for paddlers that allow True! for lots of upper mobility and are quite comfortable. PFD Requirements ● All vessels (including non-motorized watercraft) must carry at least one USCG–approved wearable Type I, II, or III PFD for each person on board.

● In addition to the above requirement, vessels 16 feet in length or longer must have one USCG–approved throwable Type IV device on board and immediately accessible. Canoes and kayaks are exempt from this requirement.

● A wearable Type V PFD may be substituted for other required PFDs if the wearable Type V PFD is approved for the activity for which the PFD is being used and is being worn. Types of PFDs (Life jackets)

Most kayakers wear Type III PFDs Types of PFDs

Most kayak guides wear Type V PFDs Whistle Signals

1. Loud whistle blast: Attention. Stop and look for further direction 2. Loud whistle blasts: Stop, stay where you are - look for further direction 3. Two or more loud whistle blasts: Emergency! Filing a Float Plan

It’s essential to leave behind information about your trip and ensure that somebody will take the necessary steps to seek help if you do not return or make contact on time. Identifying your Vessel

Every kayak & SUP should be labeled with the owners name & contact info