Where do Kayaks and Canoes fit into the Navigation Rules?
Neither the International nor Inland Navigation Rules address “kayaks” or “canoes” per se, except in regards to “vessels under oars” in Rule 25 regarding lights. One could infer that a “vessel under oars” should be treated as a “sailing vessel” since it is permitted to display the same lights as one, but, ultimately the issue of whom “gives way” would fall to what would be “required by the ordinary practice of seamen, or by the special circumstances of the case” (Rule 2).
