"Exhibited in time to prevent an accident" doesn't read as constant to me.

Then it says a 360� light is recommended.

Then goes on to state you "shall exhibit sidelights and a sternlight, and shall exhibit at least one bright light, lantern, or flashlight from sunset to sunrise..."

Yeah, that is probably the best thing to do. I've recently purchased some kayaks and have been slowly trying to figure out what all is needed.

I agree that kayakers, canoers and power boaters all need to be careful. Kayakers always need to keep an eye and ear peeled for boats and need to stay out of boating lanes as much as possible. However, going 30MPH in 8" of water is not a "normal boat" and is inherently dangerous. If you are running that fast in 8" of water or within 20 to 30 feet of any bank, you have the greater burden to watch out for other boats, waders, swimmers, deer, rocks, trees and anything else that may be in shallow water.

It sounds like the existence of a kayak had little bearing on what happened to the OP. It sounds like the same would have happened if it was a jon boat or dark-colored bass boat. The OP simply let his guard down and was messing with a dog while running wide open. If we are driving down a country road all lone with a dog on our lap... do we have less of a duty to watch for other vehicles, motorcycles, joggers, bikers, etc? Nope.

Im not throwing stones at powerboaters nor am I defending kayakers. Until very recently, I've owned a power boat my entire adult life. I love the water and consider myself to be a very safe operator. However, a few times over the years I have accidentally ran too close to other boats... each time it was my fault. They were minding their own business fishing and I ran into a cove or around a point too hot. I didn't do it on purpose (nor did the OP) but it was my fault. Period.

I greatly appreciate the OP reaching out to say sorry and I think this dialog is very helpful. We all need to watch out for each other. When PB's operate in shallow water, near the bank or around a blind bend, they need to go slow. At the same time, kayakers need to be mindful that we are hard to see and need to make ourselves as visible as possible. We all have the burden to watch out for each other.

Safe boating!

In my defense the River in this area was pretty wide and was at least 8ft in depth. There is very little logs and trash in the water and it is at least 8 miles from the Lake where I put in to most of the Fishing spots. Some of that is idle only. My Boat is a Custom Mudboat that is extra thick hull with a 40hp Gatortail Surface Drive engine. Sometimes in shallow water you have to get on plane to keep from hanging up. Hitting a stump or log is no big deal in this boat. The incident was purely my fault in that I was messing with my Fishing Hound and sitting down due to the rain. This Kayak had paddled about 4 miles from the Bridge on the Navasota, which is no big deal on the weekend in good weather, but this was a week day and I was certainly not expecting any company on the river. If you see me on the Navasota flag me down and we will share fishing stories. Short Video below

https://youtu.be/BnrwSkcCMiM or
https://www.facebook.com/RieselPolice/videos/2234299260192260/?t=5

I have a Gator Trax with a GatorTail. I need to check out that newer engine you got hanging off of that thing.