Night Paddling in Pennsylvania ??

According to the boating manual if I'm operating my kayak on
Commonwealth waters at night I am required to "have a white light
either handheld or installed ready to be displayed in time to avoid an
accident". I assume this means I can have a flashlight handy to shine
towards another boat. It goes on to say that at anchor I am required to
have "an all around white light visible for at least 2 miles and be
displayed where it can best be seen."

I'm would like to fish a certain Fish Comission lake at night. I'm not
planning on "anchoring" anywhere so would I need the "anchor light" if
I simply stopped awhile? Is that considered anchoring? The lights I've
seen for sale that I could use as an anchoring light have all been 12
volt and I do not have a 12 volt battery to take along with me nor do I
want to.

I've asked this question on their website but haven't heard anything
back.

FWIW, This particular lake does not allow gas motors, electric trolling
motors only and I personally have never seen another boat on there at
night while I've fished from the shore. I have and use my PFD and have
a whistle attached. I also would wear a headlamp as I do when shore
fishing along with 2 flashlight.

So can anyone who has been to or is from PA answer my anchoring
questions? TIA.

Cyli wrote:
> On 21 Jun 2006 12:15:05 -0700, "Sees-koo-wee-hah-nay"
> wrote:
>
>
> >
> >I'm would like to fish a certain Fish Comission lake at night. I'm not
> >planning on "anchoring" anywhere so would I need the "anchor light" if
> >I simply stopped awhile? Is that considered anchoring?
>
> Do you have an anchor? If stopped would you be deploying it? If
> you're not attached to the bottom in any way, you're not anchored, are
> you?

No, I do not use an anchor but that would also depend on the local WCO
who can be a real prick.

>
> The reason an anchored boat needs special lights is that it's unable
> to move out of the way of another boat quickly and is not one of the
> knowable natural hazards of the local water. If you don't have an
> anchor out and are in control of the boat, you shouldn't need one.
>
> However, the definitive answer would come from whoever patrols that
> lake. Find out from your DNR or the Fish Commission and ask the
> patrollers. Email or a couple of phone calls should settle the
> matter.

I hope to see him tomorrow night, I know he'll be watching me from the
woods.
Email is useless, I have asked via email but no response, same thing a
few weeks ago.
I had a heck of a time getting a straight answer on launch permits as
they are issued by 2 different agencies, Pa. Fish Commission and DCNR.
Of course both permits are different looking and have been ask to come
ashore once by someone who didn't recognize the other agencies current
sticker. Throw in a DCNR mooring permit that is legal to launch with
and it gets even more confusing for those in charge. You can also use a
regular registration if you went that route. That's 4 different
stickers that you can use to launch at Fish Commission lakes and access
areas or Pennsylvania state parks.