Port Authority and Kiting
Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 7:57 pm
So I will start this thread off with the following statement
"It was me and I learned a few things today"
the situation was the following,
A commercial boat had just rounded the end of the big pier and was approaching the harbor where they dock. I had come in upwind of the boat at what I felt was a safe and comfortable distance upwind of the boat and passed him knowing that I could get ahead turn around and head out down wind of him...all safe and all good, Apparently not all good. When I did this I felt I had plenty of lead space as to not endanger anything or anyone but to the boat operator and the Port Authority Manager who was watching from the pier I had committed a grievous boating infraction. When I and the other kiters were back on the pier the Manager approached us (not knowing which one of us did the dastardly deed and I didn't know I was the dastardly dude) quite upset. He informed us of the infraction and a number of other facts, I became aware after a period of time in conversation with others that I was the offending person.
So here is what I came away with from this experience and conversation with the harbor master/other kiters.
1. the least maneuverable vehicle has the right of way.
2. Never cross the bow of a boat unless you have a TON of distance between you as it is a Marine law
3. The Port Alberni pier is NOT a public pier but rather the property of the port authority and as such we are able to use it at their grace.
4. the port authority is not a publicly funded government entity, therefore us "taxpayers" really have no right to be there, only at the courtesy of the Port Authority
In the conversation between the Manager and the other kiters present it was agreed that some general guidelines for the safe use of the area should be posted to help educate and make clear to those wishing to use the area, to create a a better understanding of kiting and its risks and the needs of the harbor as it is a "working" harbor.
I know by posting this I am opening myself up to criticism, but am the first to admit I guess I was in the wrong even though I did not realize at the time the infraction I was committing, which is the real reason for the post and the fact that I do not wish for others to do the same and really piss off the Manager and cause further tension/conflict. I am also making the admission so that those others that were kiting there today do not take any flak for my mistake.
Dale
"It was me and I learned a few things today"
the situation was the following,
A commercial boat had just rounded the end of the big pier and was approaching the harbor where they dock. I had come in upwind of the boat at what I felt was a safe and comfortable distance upwind of the boat and passed him knowing that I could get ahead turn around and head out down wind of him...all safe and all good, Apparently not all good. When I did this I felt I had plenty of lead space as to not endanger anything or anyone but to the boat operator and the Port Authority Manager who was watching from the pier I had committed a grievous boating infraction. When I and the other kiters were back on the pier the Manager approached us (not knowing which one of us did the dastardly deed and I didn't know I was the dastardly dude) quite upset. He informed us of the infraction and a number of other facts, I became aware after a period of time in conversation with others that I was the offending person.
So here is what I came away with from this experience and conversation with the harbor master/other kiters.
1. the least maneuverable vehicle has the right of way.
2. Never cross the bow of a boat unless you have a TON of distance between you as it is a Marine law
3. The Port Alberni pier is NOT a public pier but rather the property of the port authority and as such we are able to use it at their grace.
4. the port authority is not a publicly funded government entity, therefore us "taxpayers" really have no right to be there, only at the courtesy of the Port Authority
In the conversation between the Manager and the other kiters present it was agreed that some general guidelines for the safe use of the area should be posted to help educate and make clear to those wishing to use the area, to create a a better understanding of kiting and its risks and the needs of the harbor as it is a "working" harbor.
I know by posting this I am opening myself up to criticism, but am the first to admit I guess I was in the wrong even though I did not realize at the time the infraction I was committing, which is the real reason for the post and the fact that I do not wish for others to do the same and really piss off the Manager and cause further tension/conflict. I am also making the admission so that those others that were kiting there today do not take any flak for my mistake.
Dale
Great post Dale . The 
In particular 
