sound signals

1 short (in sight of one another)

→ altering course to starboard

→ power driven vessels only

Duration of 1 short blast

Duration of 1 long blast

→ 1 short = a blast of about 1 second duration

→ 1 long blast = a blast of about 4-6 seconds

2 short blasts (in sight of one another)

→ Altering course to Port

→ power driven vessels only

3 short blasts (in sight of one another)

→ operating astern propulsion

→ Power driven vessels only

5 short blasts

→ I am in doubt as to your intentions

→ in sight of one another

→ any vessel can use this signal

2 Long, 2 Short (narrow channel)

→ I intend to overtake you on your port side

→ narrow channels only

→ any vessel may use

2 Long, 1 Short (Narrow channel)

→ I intend to overtake you on your starboard side

→ narrow channel only

→ any vessel may use

1 long (narrow channel)

→ vessel nearing a bend or where another vessel may be obscured by an obstruction

→ also reply for an approaching vessel nearing the bend or obstruction

→ narrow channels only

1 Long, 1 short, 1 Long, 1 short (narrow channels)

→ agreement to being overtaken

→ narrow channel only

→ any vessel may use this signal

1 Long (at a dock)

→ (Can Mod)

→ departing berth

→ power driven vessels 12m or more only

→ doesn’t have to it

1. Vessel is a ferry making a departure from dock which has more then 6 daily scheduled departures

2. The visibility is not less than 3nm

3. The master of the ferry has used all available means appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions and determines it is not needed for a safe departure

3 long (any condition of visibility)

→ man overboard

2 long, 2 short (fishing)

→ shooting a net or gear

→ any condition of visibility

→ only fishing vessels

→ if in restricted vis 4-6 seconds after the fog signal

2 long, 1 short (fishing)

→ hauling a net or gear

→ any condition of visibility

→ fishing vessels only

→ if in restricted vis 4-6 after the fog signal

1 short, 2 long, 1 short (fishing)

→ net or gear is fast upon an obstruction

→ any condition of visibility

→ fishing vessels only

→ if in restricted vis 4-6 sec after fog signal

1 Long (restricted vis)

→ power driven vessel making way

→ also composite unit making way

→ restricted visibility

→ power driven vessels only

→ interval of not more than 2 mins

2 long (restricted vis)

→ power driven vessel underway but not making way

→ also composite unit underway but not making way

→ restricted visibility

→ power driven vessels only

→ interval of not more than 2 min

1 long 2 short (restricted vis)

→ NUC, RAM, CBD, Sailing vessel, vessel engaged in towing or pushing

→ anchor signal for vessel engaged in fishing and RAM carrying out work at anchor

→ restricted visibility

→ only for the vessels above

→ interval of not more than 2 min

5 sec, rapid ringing of bell (restricted vis)

→ vessel less than 100m at anchor

→ except vessel engaged in fishing or RAM carrying out work at anchor

→ interval of not more than 1 min

Sound signals for composite unit (restricted visibility)

→ same as a power driven vessel

→ 1 long, making way

→ 2 long underway but not making way

→ interval of not more than 2 min

5 sec, rapid ringing of bell. 5 sec rapid ringing of gong. (Restricted vis)

→ vessel 100m or more at anchor

→ except vessel engaged in fishing or RAM carrying out there work at anchor

→ interval of not more than 1 min

3 distinct stroke on bell, 5 sec rapid ringing of bell, 3 distinct stokes on bell. (Restricted vis)

→ vessel under 100m aground

→ restricted visibility

→ may be used by any vessel under 100m

→ interval of not more than 1 min

3 distinct stroke on bell, 5 sec rapid ringing of bell, 3 distinct strokes on bell, 5 sec rapid ringing of gong

→ vessel 100m or more aground

→ restricted visibility only

→ shall be used by any vessel over 100m

→ interval of not more than 1 min

1 short, 1 long, 1 short

→ vessel at anchoring warning of her position to another vessel on approach

→ may be used by any vessel at anchor

→ restricted visibility only

2 short, 1 long

→ exploration / exploitation vessel when stationary and engaged in drilling or production operations

→ interval of every 30 seconds

→ sound signal only used when visibility is 2 NM or less

1 short (Great Lakes)

→ I intend to leave you on my port side

Answered by the other vessel with the same signal upon agreement or short 5 blasts for disagreement

→ required to use this signal when ½ mile from another vessel

2 short blasts (Great Lakes)

→ I intend to leave you on my starboard side Answered With the same signal in agreement or 5 short blasts disagreement

→ required to use this signal upon ½ mile from another vessel

1 short blasts (Great Lakes, Narrow channels)

→ I intend to overtake you on your starboard side

Must answer with same signal if in agreement or 5 short blasts disagreement

2 short blasts (Great Lakes, narrow channels)

→ I intend to overtake you on your port side

Must be answered by same signal in agreement or 5 short blasts disagreement

At what distance must vessels approaching another vessel sound the appropriate sound signal in the Great Lakes ?

→ vessel must sound the manouvering signal within ½ mile of another vessel

→ the other vessel must reply with the same signal in aggrment or 5 short blasts in disagreement

→ only for in sight of one another

Sound signal equipment required for

12m +

20m +

100m +

→ 12m requires a whistle

→ 20m requires a whistle and bell

→ 100m + requires a whistle, bell and gong

1 long, 3 short (restricted vis)

→ last vessel in tow if manned, signal made immediately after the sound signal of the vessel towing

→ interval of not more than 2 mins

4 short blasts (restricted vis)

→ pilot boat engaged on pilot duty