When your vessel is underway and you can see other vessels, you can use sound signals to let other vessels know your intended movements. For example, if you plan to alter course or are slowing down. These signals can help prevent collisions. Powerboats and sailing boats must carry a sound signal device – such as an air horn, bell or whistle – as part of their safety equipment. The signals can be in short or long blasts. A short blast is about 1 second and a long blast is 4 to 6 seconds. You can accompany these sound signals with light signals.
In busy and restricted waterways, large vessels use sound signals to notify nearby boats of their intentions. Sound signals are used to signal intentions on the waterways like an automobile's turn light indicators on the highways. All boaters should know proper sound signals, especially those boaters operating near commercial vessel traffic. If you are unaware of the signal communications it may become problematic and place your vessel and surrounding craft in jeopardy. The following regulations are for vessels operating in the British Isles and covered by the The Merchant Shipping (Distress Signals and Prevention of Collisions) Regulations 1996 November 2003 - see Rules 34/35 extract . These are the same ones agreed to internationally and used on the high seas. Unfortunately some countries may have different inland water regulations, for example in the United States of America for instance, they reverse the port and starboard signals and have different overtaking signals. These are noted by dashed magenta lines found on many charts and labelled COLREGS DEMARCATION LINES which are the boundaries of restricted-navigation zones. To seaward of these lines, or where the lines do not exist, a skipper must follow the International rules - more formally known as the 1972 International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (72 COLREGS). Where these lines exist, and inshore of them, a skipper must use the specific Inland Waterway Rules.REQUIRED SIGNALING EQUIPMENT Rule 33, equipment for sound signals, specify three devices used for sound signalling. A compressed air 'Air horn' is vital to the safety of a vessel Photo: Courtesy of Lauzas These are a gong, a bell and a whistle that need to comply with the technical details for sound signal appliances set out in Annex III of the COLREGs:
Do not assume a direction for the maritime horn signal as it can be distorted by fog so stop and double-check the direction then proceed with caution. See also maritime flags and their meaning .Michael Harpur, Yacht Obsession.Sound signal rules to be followed by vessels in restricted visibility 1 Sound signal rules to be followed by vessels in restricted visibility 2 A photograph is worth a thousand words. We are always looking for bright sunny photographs that illustrate this experience. If you have some images that we could use please upload them here. All we need to know is how you would like to be credited for your work and a brief description of the image if it is not readily apparent. If you would like us to add a hyperlink from the image that goes back to your site please include the desired link and we will be delighted to that for you.
Matt Reid wrote this review on Dec 31st 2013:
Michael Harpur wrote this review on Jan 26th 2018: Please log in to leave a review of this tip. eOceanic makes no guarantee of the validity of this information, you must read our legal page. However, we ask you to help us increase accuracy. If you spot an inaccuracy or an omission on this page please contact us and we will be delighted to rectify it. Don't forget to help us by sharing your own experience. |