Rules of the Road...

Horn(whistle)signals.

In International waters, the signals are to indicate 'actions'.

Example: 1 short blast means "I am altering my course to starboard". 2 short blasts means "I am altering my course to port".

In Inland waters, the signals are to indicate 'intentions' and must be answered by the same signal, prior to executing the maneuver.

Example: 1 blast means "I intend to overtake you on your starboard side". If the overtaken vessel agrees, they answer with the same signal. If the overtaken vessel does not agree, or considers the intended action dangerous they sound the danger signal, at least 5 short and rapid blasts.

One prolonged blast(4 to 6 seconds) means "I am leaving my slip or berth"

Three short blasts (about 1 second each) means "I am operating astern propulsion".

Larry H
 
If your visibility decreases you are to decrease your speed so that you can stop in half the distance of your visibility. Your sound signal while underway is a prolonged blast at two minute intervals.

So what will you hear in the fog of a vessel towing another vessel.
 
1TUBERIDER":3pixh86r said:
So what will you hear in the fog of a vessel towing another vessel?
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One 5-second blast followed by three 1-second blasts (each separated by 2-seconds) every 120 seconds.

What should you be honking if you are in the fog but fishing (underway or anchored)?
 
1TUBERIDER":d5ikvqbh said:
If your visibility decreases you are to decrease your speed so that you can stop in half the distance of your visibility. Your sound signal while underway is a prolonged blast at two minute intervals.

So what will you hear in the fog of a vessel towing another vessel.
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Now, we're talking! :thup A "hampered vessel's" fog signal is one long and two short blasts. BTW, "hampered" refers to what other vessels besides a tow?

Bonus question: what is the time duration of a short and a long horn blast?

PS - for Rogerbum: the one long and three short is for a manned vessel BEING towed. (It is the "answer" to the towing vessel's sound signal.)
 
rogerbum":3qp92k3x said:
What should you be honking if you are in the fog but fishing (underway or anchored)?
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Sorry, Roger, I missed that question. If you are fishing in the fog, you are still a powerboat in the grand scheme of things. If you are underway and making way, the signal is still one long blast every two minutes (or less). If you are underway, but not making way, the signal is two long blasts with two seconds between them, every two minutes (or less). If you are at anchor, the signal is ringing a bell rapidly for 5 seconds once every minute (or less); in addition, one short blast followed by one long and another short may be used.

Interesting thing about the fog situation: while you are supposed to slow to a safe speed, you are also supposed to keep a lookout. We also open our windows in the fog to better hear any sound signals. Ever notice that it's hard to tell direction of the signal in the fog? If in our local ship channel, we also make a position report with a "securite'" call on Channel 16.
 
Well, we've mentioned some running lights on our boats, fog, horn signals. So, when are you supposed to use those nav lights?

Best wishes,
Jim

PS - While out cruising around today, I took the camera with the plan to shoot some more interesting nav aids for possible questions. Yep, the camera batteries died after the first shot. :crook And it was a perfect day - crispy clear, dolphins playing, waterfowl all around, a gorgeous sunset. I guess I'll just have to go out again tomorrow. :wink:
 
Anna Leigh":y2v8keeq said:
Bonus question: what is the time duration of a short and a long horn blast?
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Short is 1 second
There is no long blast, there is a Pro-longed blast and it is 4-6 seconds.
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No "amateur-longed" blast?

OK, Captain David, you answered two questions, it's YOUR TURN to ask a couple. :D
 
You are in the fog and hear a prolonged blast and two short blasts. Immediately following you hear a prolonged blast and three shorts blasts. What should you be looking for and aware of?
 
You are out on a slow late night cruise in the salty seas and on your starboard quarter you observe a flashing amber(yellow) light with a sequence of one flash per second for three seconds followed by a three second off-period. What's up with that?
 
prolong followed by 2 shorts is an encumbered vessel in restricted visibility, underway. The prolong followed by three shorts is the towed vessel being pulled by the vessel making the first sounds.

Watch out, going between the sounds is a no no.

What if with the above sound signals you saw three 225 degree white lites stacked on top of one another. What does that mean?
 
Tow of over 200 meters, should also be showing a black diamond. Two vertical whites is a tow less than 200 meters. Measured from the stern of the towing vessel to the stern of the tow.

And for the prior question, the towed vessel sounding a prolong and three shorts must be manned to sound the signal.
 
1TUBERIDER":36as1sqv said:
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What if with the above sound signals you saw three 225 degree white lites stacked on top of one another. What does that mean?
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Vessel towing astern, the tow is 200 meters or more overall from the stern of the towing vessel. And assuming that is happening in restricted vis, it would really be nice to have radar to know where the end of that thing is since you can see the mast lights! :shock:

Question: you are anchored in a quiet little cove. You are the only boat there. Do you need to display an anchor light?
 
You need to show a white anchor light, when anchored, not at a dock. (unless of course you don't want to lessen your chances of the anchor from that 100' mega bubble boat rudely awakening you as it crashes though your hull while you are peacefully having dreams of that new radar)
 
colobear":5agws7l7 said:
You need to show a white anchor light, when anchored, not at a dock. (unless of course you don't want to lessen your chances of the anchor from that 100' mega bubble boat rudely awakening you as it crashes though your hull while you are peacefully having dreams of that new radar)
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Ummm, Barry, you answered a question.... where's your new question? OK, that was a question. Here's another one: if you have your dinghy tied to your boat by a short painter, should your dinghy display an anchor light?
 
Question: you are anchored in a quiet little cove. You are the only boat there. Do you need to display an anchor light?
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Depends on the size of your vessel. If it is less than 7 meters (23 Ft) no anchor light is required if you are not in or near a narrow channel, fairway or anchorage or where other vessels nornally navigate.

Question: What official publication would you look in to find specific information about a specific islands particulars?
 
Anna Leigh":mrr2zukh said:
...
Question: What official publication would you look in to find specific information about a specific islands particulars?
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United States Coast Pilot®

Question: When can you use a strobe light on your boat?
 
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