Hello, I have inherited a ship's bell. I would like to install this on my sailboat but am not sure where it's suppose to go. Inside? Outside? Thank you.
Ship's bell location
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Ship's Bell
I lot depends on the your intended use of the bell and your boat's configuration. If you plan to use the bell as a signalling device, it should be mounted somewhere in the cockpit and easy to reach. If it's primarily a nice cosmetic addition to your boat, it can be mounted anywhere in the cabin. If you mount the bell in the cockpit with a permanent mount, most likely it will tarnish badly. I like having it both ways: I have a temporary mounting bracket in the cockpit next to the companionway and one on a bulkhead over the nav table inside. The bell mostly lives inside the boat until such time as I may need it and then it can be easily moved to the cockpit.
I lot depends on the your intended use of the bell and your boat's configuration. If you plan to use the bell as a signalling device, it should be mounted somewhere in the cockpit and easy to reach. If it's primarily a nice cosmetic addition to your boat, it can be mounted anywhere in the cabin. If you mount the bell in the cockpit with a permanent mount, most likely it will tarnish badly. I like having it both ways: I have a temporary mounting bracket in the cockpit next to the companionway and one on a bulkhead over the nav table inside. The bell mostly lives inside the boat until such time as I may need it and then it can be easily moved to the cockpit.
Ditto Warren's arrangement. I installed brackets..
in the main cabin for decoration and the helm for functional use. The majority of the time it remains a decoration. Most marine stores carry these bronze brackets. The bell mounts on a special arm designed to hang on these brackets. Bud
in the main cabin for decoration and the helm for functional use. The majority of the time it remains a decoration. Most marine stores carry these bronze brackets. The bell mounts on a special arm designed to hang on these brackets. Bud
Originally
The bell was for signaling ships in the area. to let them know you are there also. Mostly used in the fog and at night time. It's placement should be in the cockpit, where access is within easy reach. And it can be heard for quite some distance. Keep it up, ctskip
The bell was for signaling ships in the area. to let them know you are there also. Mostly used in the fog and at night time. It's placement should be in the cockpit, where access is within easy reach. And it can be heard for quite some distance. Keep it up, ctskip
I Hate to sound anal, but here it is
This was taken from the COLREGS, Navigational Rules of the Road Subpart B—Bell or Gong § 86.21 Intensity of signal. A bell or gong, or other device having similar sound characteristics shall produce a sound pressure level of not less than 110 dB at 1 meter. § 86.23 Construction. Bells and gongs shall be made of corrosion-resistant material and designed to give a clear tone. The diameter of the mouth of the bell shall be not less than 300 mm for vessels of more than 20 meters in length, and shall be not less than 200 mm for vessels of 12 to 20 meters in length. The mass of the striker shall be not less than 3 percent of the mass of the bell. The striker shall be capable of manual operation. Note: When practicable, a power-driven bell striker is recommended to ensure constant force. Have fun with it.
This was taken from the COLREGS, Navigational Rules of the Road Subpart B—Bell or Gong § 86.21 Intensity of signal. A bell or gong, or other device having similar sound characteristics shall produce a sound pressure level of not less than 110 dB at 1 meter. § 86.23 Construction. Bells and gongs shall be made of corrosion-resistant material and designed to give a clear tone. The diameter of the mouth of the bell shall be not less than 300 mm for vessels of more than 20 meters in length, and shall be not less than 200 mm for vessels of 12 to 20 meters in length. The mass of the striker shall be not less than 3 percent of the mass of the bell. The striker shall be capable of manual operation. Note: When practicable, a power-driven bell striker is recommended to ensure constant force. Have fun with it.
This subject is a good one for a quiz.
Anybody use a bell for it's intended purpose? You know, signaling other ships while you are anchored outside of a designated anchorage? In the fog? Mine's in the barn.
Anybody use a bell for it's intended purpose? You know, signaling other ships while you are anchored outside of a designated anchorage? In the fog? Mine's in the barn.
Use it in Fog?
Well, thats another use for it. Damn, mine is in the bard also. BTW, the COLREGS Rules of the Road are on the internet so you could lookup stuff. It also covers nav lites and and whistle signals and lots more. Its interesting to scan through if you never had before. In order to pass a 100 ton Masters License you damn near have to memorize the whole thing.
Well, thats another use for it. Damn, mine is in the bard also. BTW, the COLREGS Rules of the Road are on the internet so you could lookup stuff. It also covers nav lites and and whistle signals and lots more. Its interesting to scan through if you never had before. In order to pass a 100 ton Masters License you damn near have to memorize the whole thing.
Is a bell ringing?
Coupla more thoughts on bells: For Fred: Yes I've used my bell as a signalling device while in fog. For sailortonyb: In addition to your posting, I believe that a bell is optional for boats less than 12 meters and the rules for its use are also optional for those size boats.
Coupla more thoughts on bells: For Fred: Yes I've used my bell as a signalling device while in fog. For sailortonyb: In addition to your posting, I believe that a bell is optional for boats less than 12 meters and the rules for its use are also optional for those size boats.
I use my for sailing
The idea is to ring the bell. Rare to do. You really have to have the boat healed over 30 degrees. You have to work the sails and course to do it. And if you hear the ringging, you get a brewski. Only two people have done it on my Irwin, the old tub.
The idea is to ring the bell. Rare to do. You really have to have the boat healed over 30 degrees. You have to work the sails and course to do it. And if you hear the ringging, you get a brewski. Only two people have done it on my Irwin, the old tub.
Not sure Warren....
I'm not sure and I'm too lazy to look it up now, but i believe that it, or some form of signalling device is required on vessels of 12 meters or more. Some VHF radio's have a set-up for loud speakers and audible fog signals. I will have to look it up soon though since I'm in the middle of a 39 foot purchase. When i get unlazy, i'll look it up and post it.
I'm not sure and I'm too lazy to look it up now, but i believe that it, or some form of signalling device is required on vessels of 12 meters or more. Some VHF radio's have a set-up for loud speakers and audible fog signals. I will have to look it up soon though since I'm in the middle of a 39 foot purchase. When i get unlazy, i'll look it up and post it.
Ring once for every half hour
To signal the crew. Start at 4:00AM. At eight bells it will be time to change the watch.
To signal the crew. Start at 4:00AM. At eight bells it will be time to change the watch.
My bell is a Pennsylvania RailRoad
Dining car bell mounted on the inside of my companionway door. It rings when the door is opened or closed unless you hold the clapper. I also have a mouth blown horn there. Always within reach and out where they can be heard.
Dining car bell mounted on the inside of my companionway door. It rings when the door is opened or closed unless you hold the clapper. I also have a mouth blown horn there. Always within reach and out where they can be heard.
For sailortonyb
Here 'tis: "Every vessel less than 39.4 ft (12 meters) in length must carry an efficient sound producing device (horn or whistle, etc). Every vessel 39.4 ft (12 meters) or larger in length must carry a whistle and a bell. The whistle must be audible for 1/2 nautical mile. The mouth of the bell must be at least 7.87 inches (200mm) in diameter." see link for full details.
Here 'tis: "Every vessel less than 39.4 ft (12 meters) in length must carry an efficient sound producing device (horn or whistle, etc). Every vessel 39.4 ft (12 meters) or larger in length must carry a whistle and a bell. The whistle must be audible for 1/2 nautical mile. The mouth of the bell must be at least 7.87 inches (200mm) in diameter." see link for full details.
Another quiz question;
Anybody know of a Coast Guard inspection that asked about a bell? And let's keep going. How about ANCHORS? On my boat, that's the most important safety gear.
Anybody know of a Coast Guard inspection that asked about a bell? And let's keep going. How about ANCHORS? On my boat, that's the most important safety gear.
CG inspection
Fred We were inspected last summer and they wanted to see the bell required because we are over 40 ft. Admittedly, it was buried in a locker but that's irrelevent to them. Don
Fred We were inspected last summer and they wanted to see the bell required because we are over 40 ft. Admittedly, it was buried in a locker but that's irrelevent to them. Don
Thanks Warren
That Link of yours is not as precise as the wording in Rules of the road. It should be understood that the horn or whistle is for signalling as in navigation passing signals. The bell is for fog signalling , same principle as the use of a fog horn, but not needing any form of power other than the rocking motion of a boat when at anchor, or hand clanging when in motion.
That Link of yours is not as precise as the wording in Rules of the road. It should be understood that the horn or whistle is for signalling as in navigation passing signals. The bell is for fog signalling , same principle as the use of a fog horn, but not needing any form of power other than the rocking motion of a boat when at anchor, or hand clanging when in motion.
COLREG Rule 35
If your boat is less then 20 meters you don't have to generate a fog signal at anchor, its optional per the COLREGS Rule 35. If you do decide to maintain a fog signal to warn other boaters while at anchor, the fog signal must be given every 2 minutes. The random rock of a flog bell is inadequate. It has to be given every 2 minutes, which means power, either human or electrical. Fair Winds, Clyde
If your boat is less then 20 meters you don't have to generate a fog signal at anchor, its optional per the COLREGS Rule 35. If you do decide to maintain a fog signal to warn other boaters while at anchor, the fog signal must be given every 2 minutes. The random rock of a flog bell is inadequate. It has to be given every 2 minutes, which means power, either human or electrical. Fair Winds, Clyde
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