Boating regulations

Here is the USCG regulations:

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=navRulesContent

His behavior actually constituted 'reckless boating'.  An arrestable offense.   Reckless boating is defined as "operating a vessel with a willful and wanton disregard for the life or property of others".   A boat does not have to be traveling at speed to constitute being reckless.   

Such a blatant disregard as he displayed will not be 'talked out', and no one will otherwise change that asshat's mind.  He needed to be reported, and any video given to law enforcement.   Don't wait until someone goes through a propeller before acting.   Seeing someone who looks like they've been ran through the Cuisinart is not a pretty sight.   

If two craft hit each other at under 5 mph solely because each was unwilling to move then both deserve to called a fool. Why play chicken just because you are unable to swallow your ego?

It's illegal for a PB to run you over,  bit that doesn't make you any less dead.

Yeah it sounds foolish but really there was no risk of injury, and at least on my part, I don't feel my ego got in the way. I figured he knew the rules and would turn at the last minute, but the exchange showed he didn't know the regs.  Our boats didn't touch, I just put my hand on his bow and drifted along the side.  At that point we merely expressed our opposing views.  He felt kayaks don't belong on the river and I informed him of the rules.  I've done things much more foolish than that, but I'm not going to broadcast them online.  BTW, thanks for the hook recommendation.  This definitely feels like an upgrade.

BRB hooks are the way to go for halibut.

If two craft hit each other at under 5 mph solely because each was unwilling to move then both deserve to called a fool. Why play chicken just because you are unable to swallow your ego?

Agreed.

And in any event, a stand-on vessel is required to take necessary steps to avoid collision with a give-way vessel that is failing to do so.   It is essentially a general duty clause in the COLREGS to preempt a collision where the give-way vessel is failing to yield in accordance with the nav rules. 

Rule 16 - Action by Give-way Vessel Return to the top of the page

Every vessel which is directed to keep out of the way of another vessel shall, so far as possible, take early and substantial action to keep well clear.

Rule 17- Action by Stand-on Vessel Return to the top of the page

(a) (i) Where one of two vessels is to keep out of the way, the other shall keep her course and speed.
(ii) The latter vessel may, however, take action to avoid collision by her maneuver alone, as soon as it becomes apparent to her that the vessel required to keep out of the way is not taking appropriate action in compliance with these Rules.

(b) When, from any cause, the vessel required to keep her course and speed finds herself so close that collision cannot be avoided by the action of the give-way vessel alone, she shall take such action as will best aid to avoid collision.

(d) This Rule does not relieve the give-way vessel of her obligation to keep out of the way.