I Learned About Boating From That - The Invisible Paddleboarder

by Capt. Gregg Clark

It was a beautiful summer evening in western Long Island Sound. The wind was almost non-existent, and the water was like glass. Approaching sunset, the sky was starting to display amazing shades of blue and orange. I had been out with a group of friends cruising the sound as they enjoyed cocktails and good tunes. 

I rounded the outer buoy to Great Captain’s Harbor – the waters surrounding Greenwich, CT – a harbor I’ve navigated literally thousands of times.

As I made the turn, the sun was almost directly in my eyes, and the reflections off the water were intense. I was glad to have my polarized sunglasses on. Traveling at about 20 knots, we headed toward one of our favorite anchorages to watch the sunset. As usual, I was scanning my instruments when, suddenly, I noticed something on my thermal imaging screen directly ahead. 

At first, I couldn’t make it out, so I eased off the throttles to assess the situation further. To my shock, it was a stand-up paddleboarder in the middle of the harbor! Rarely, if ever, do paddleboarders stray that far from shore in this area.

Full Stop

I turned 30° to port and came to a full stop to eliminate any wake while assessing the situation further. The lady on the paddleboard was wearing a blue wetsuit, and her board was blue as well. Even without the blinding sun and glare, this combination was the perfect camouflage for blending into the water.

I’m convinced that if I hadn’t seen her on my FLIR (thermal imaging), I would have run her over—or at least come dangerously close. My heart was in my throat. It took all my restraint not to share a few choice words.

This situation reinforced the importance of remaining diligent behind the helm. Operating a boat comes with immense responsibility, and we can never let our guard down, even in seemingly benign conditions.

Key Lessons from This Close Call--

1.    Stay vigilant: The captain must always remain alert, even in calm conditions and familiar waters. Complacency can be dangerous.

2.    Use all available navigation tools: The COLREGs require that all available means of navigation be used when underway. I have FLIR, so I am legally required to use it. Without it, this situation could have ended badly.

3.    Maintain a proper scan: Regularly check all navigation sources and instruments. I glance at my chart plotter, radar, and FLIR every 15–20 seconds and check engine instruments every minute or so.

4.    Keep windows clean: Dirty or smudged windows can amplify glare and make visibility worse. Clean your windshield and side windows, inside and out.

5.    Ask for a second set of eyes: When conditions warrant, don’t hesitate to ask someone else to help you watch for potential hazards.

6.    Slow down when in doubt: If something doesn’t feel right, reduce speed or stop until you can safely assess the situation.

Tips for Paddleboarders and Kayakers--

1.    Don’t assume you’re seen: Just because you see a boat doesn’t mean the boater sees you. Always be prepared to take evasive action.

2.    Wear bright colors: Opt for bright, contrasting clothing that stands out against the water.

3.    Know your right-of-way but stay cautious: Even if you have the right-of-way, assume that boaters may either not know the rules or may not be aware of your presence.

4.    Avoid busy areas: Your minimal draft allows you to navigate outside main channels and busy waterways. Use this to stay safer.

That close call will stay with me forever. The best accidents are the ones we avoid.

Capt. Gregg Clark is a test captain for BoatTEST.  He holds a 200 GT master license and has boating and yachting for 40 years.  He owns a 56’ Vicem and is co-owner in a 40’ high-performance racing sailboat.  He can be reached at [email protected].

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