One blast of the horn means passing to your port. Two blasts means passing to your starboard. Three blasts means going astern. Five blasts means distress or immediate danger. Why did four blasts not get assigned ? I have asked several sailing/boating authorities including the U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards and have never gotten an answer . Just curious
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To be clearly different than 3
My guess is that they wanted no confusion between going astern and immediate danger. If danger was signaled by 4 blasts mariners in a moment of tension may not register whether they heard 3 or 4 blasts. Five blasts are clearly different than 3 blasts so the likelihood of confusion is much less. By the way the Collision Regulations say "at least 5 short and rapid blasts" The same thought process is used in Cardinal buoys where East is signified by 3 flashes, South by 6 flashes plus a long flash, West by 9 flashes and North by continuous flashes (when I say flashes it could be either quick or very quick flashes). The long flash is put in to differentiate clearly between 6 flashes and 9 flashes which can be hard to differentiate otherwise.
My guess is that they wanted no confusion between going astern and immediate danger. If danger was signaled by 4 blasts mariners in a moment of tension may not register whether they heard 3 or 4 blasts. Five blasts are clearly different than 3 blasts so the likelihood of confusion is much less. By the way the Collision Regulations say "at least 5 short and rapid blasts" The same thought process is used in Cardinal buoys where East is signified by 3 flashes, South by 6 flashes plus a long flash, West by 9 flashes and North by continuous flashes (when I say flashes it could be either quick or very quick flashes). The long flash is put in to differentiate clearly between 6 flashes and 9 flashes which can be hard to differentiate otherwise.
PICAYUNE???
At the risk of being nitpicky, I thought: One blast means I’m altering my course to starboard Two blasts means I’m altering my course to port. ??? Paul s/v The Lord Nelson
At the risk of being nitpicky, I thought: One blast means I’m altering my course to starboard Two blasts means I’m altering my course to port. ??? Paul s/v The Lord Nelson
Great Lakes Basin Rules
Paul, Ron is right for the Great Lakes Basin. The rules for the Great Lakes Basin are more or less as Ron states. For example, instead of the international 'I am altering my course to starboard' one blast means 'I intend to leave you on my port side'. Essentially they mean the same thing except perhaps the end result is clearer with the Great Lakes Rules. I really don't know the history behind the diffference. It would be interesting to know how they came to be different.
Paul, Ron is right for the Great Lakes Basin. The rules for the Great Lakes Basin are more or less as Ron states. For example, instead of the international 'I am altering my course to starboard' one blast means 'I intend to leave you on my port side'. Essentially they mean the same thing except perhaps the end result is clearer with the Great Lakes Rules. I really don't know the history behind the diffference. It would be interesting to know how they came to be different.
Malcolm
If one blast means “I intend to leave you on my port side” and Ron says one blast means passing to your port, isn’t there a conflict in an overtaking situation vs. a head-to-head pass?. HEAD-TO-HEAD, I sound one blast and steer to starboard, passing on my port side and on the port side of the other vessel. OVERTAKING, I sound one blast, steer to starboard, passing on my port side, BUT ON THE STARBOARD SIDE of the vessel overtaken. Or, did Ron mean to say that one blast is passing to MY port? Now, I’m more confused. Paul s/v The Lord Nelson
If one blast means “I intend to leave you on my port side” and Ron says one blast means passing to your port, isn’t there a conflict in an overtaking situation vs. a head-to-head pass?. HEAD-TO-HEAD, I sound one blast and steer to starboard, passing on my port side and on the port side of the other vessel. OVERTAKING, I sound one blast, steer to starboard, passing on my port side, BUT ON THE STARBOARD SIDE of the vessel overtaken. Or, did Ron mean to say that one blast is passing to MY port? Now, I’m more confused. Paul s/v The Lord Nelson
Overtaking
The rules that I quoted do not apply for overtaking. They apply when in the sectors that are covered by your red and green navigation lights (even if it is daylight
.) For overtaking International rules indicate: - two prolonged blasts followed by on short blast to mean" I intend to overtake you on your starboard side" - two prolonged blasts followed by two short blasts to mean "I intend to overtake you on your port side" Great Lakes basin rules for overtaking are: - one short blast to mean "I intend to overtake you on your starboard side" (ie. altering course to starboard) - two short blasts to mean "I intend to overtake you on your port side" (ie altering course to port) From my perspective there isn't a lot of difference between the actions taken in the two systems except the Great Lakes overtaking signal doesn't have the two prolonged blasts. Perhaps they don't have the prolonged blasts due to complaints from those that live along the Detroit and St. Clair Rivers I still would like to hear from anyone that knows the history of the differences.
The rules that I quoted do not apply for overtaking. They apply when in the sectors that are covered by your red and green navigation lights (even if it is daylight
.) For overtaking International rules indicate: - two prolonged blasts followed by on short blast to mean" I intend to overtake you on your starboard side" - two prolonged blasts followed by two short blasts to mean "I intend to overtake you on your port side" Great Lakes basin rules for overtaking are: - one short blast to mean "I intend to overtake you on your starboard side" (ie. altering course to starboard) - two short blasts to mean "I intend to overtake you on your port side" (ie altering course to port) From my perspective there isn't a lot of difference between the actions taken in the two systems except the Great Lakes overtaking signal doesn't have the two prolonged blasts. Perhaps they don't have the prolonged blasts due to complaints from those that live along the Detroit and St. Clair Rivers I still would like to hear from anyone that knows the history of the differences.Pilot vessel
Without getting into the history, or the differences between International and Inland rules, 4 blasts can in fact be only used to identify a Pilot Vessel, according to the rules (with or without a White over Red "pilot ahead" light combination). Best, Trevor
Without getting into the history, or the differences between International and Inland rules, 4 blasts can in fact be only used to identify a Pilot Vessel, according to the rules (with or without a White over Red "pilot ahead" light combination). Best, Trevor
thanks
Thanks all for your input. I think that Malcolm has a good point about leaving a space between three and five blasts to avoid confusion. I have since found out that locks in some Canadian canal systems use four blasts as a signal. I still find it interesting that historically, no one can come up with an offical source as to why 4 blasts was left out.
Thanks all for your input. I think that Malcolm has a good point about leaving a space between three and five blasts to avoid confusion. I have since found out that locks in some Canadian canal systems use four blasts as a signal. I still find it interesting that historically, no one can come up with an offical source as to why 4 blasts was left out.
What's a Blast?
Ron: Where I sail in AZ and WY, I never hear anyone use the horn system. Most of our boats are power boats ranging from small outboards to big fast "cigarette" boats. Perhaps many operators are either dense or of independent spirt so as not to know the code. So using the blast system probably would just add to confusion. And after reading the astute responses to your question, I kind of suspect we need a more uniform code. Dick
Ron: Where I sail in AZ and WY, I never hear anyone use the horn system. Most of our boats are power boats ranging from small outboards to big fast "cigarette" boats. Perhaps many operators are either dense or of independent spirt so as not to know the code. So using the blast system probably would just add to confusion. And after reading the astute responses to your question, I kind of suspect we need a more uniform code. Dick
Dick - blasts
Dick - it is rare for small vessels to actually give sound signals except for bridges, locks and in fog. Freighters and other large vessels use the passing signals and if you are going to be around them you should know what they mean and you are supposed to reply. This is probably not a significant need in your part of the US - not too many freighters in Wyoming or Arizona. A lot of people use the radio to communicate intentions instead (assuming the other side is listening). To add to the general information in this thread vessels less than 12 meters (~40ft) the Collision Regulations don't have to carry 'prescribed' sound signalling devices but only require some method of making efficient sound signals and technically you are supposed to use them. I think the reason that small vessels don't use them much (apart from lack of knowledge and enforcement) is that they are highly maneuverable so can much more easily dodge a collision than a freighter. However once again I would say you should know the signals if you are sailing with the ships. Also often used by small boats: Generally 3 prolonged blasts (4-6 seconds duration) are used to indicate a desire for locking through or for bridge opening. - I can't find this in the Collision Regulations it so may differ in different places. A short blast by the way is about 1 second. In addition, the Collision Regulations indicate a prolonged blast is used if a vessel is nearing a bend or something that obscures the view 'shall sound one prolonged blast' which you answer - this can be important to a small vessel. Ed's link is a good reference. It tells about fog signals in there as well.
Dick - it is rare for small vessels to actually give sound signals except for bridges, locks and in fog. Freighters and other large vessels use the passing signals and if you are going to be around them you should know what they mean and you are supposed to reply. This is probably not a significant need in your part of the US - not too many freighters in Wyoming or Arizona. A lot of people use the radio to communicate intentions instead (assuming the other side is listening). To add to the general information in this thread vessels less than 12 meters (~40ft) the Collision Regulations don't have to carry 'prescribed' sound signalling devices but only require some method of making efficient sound signals and technically you are supposed to use them. I think the reason that small vessels don't use them much (apart from lack of knowledge and enforcement) is that they are highly maneuverable so can much more easily dodge a collision than a freighter. However once again I would say you should know the signals if you are sailing with the ships. Also often used by small boats: Generally 3 prolonged blasts (4-6 seconds duration) are used to indicate a desire for locking through or for bridge opening. - I can't find this in the Collision Regulations it so may differ in different places. A short blast by the way is about 1 second. In addition, the Collision Regulations indicate a prolonged blast is used if a vessel is nearing a bend or something that obscures the view 'shall sound one prolonged blast' which you answer - this can be important to a small vessel. Ed's link is a good reference. It tells about fog signals in there as well.
pilot ahead
trevor, i think that you are on the right track. the four short blasts would be the same sa the morsse code "H". the signal flag that a pilot vessel would fly is "hotel" or letter "h".
trevor, i think that you are on the right track. the four short blasts would be the same sa the morsse code "H". the signal flag that a pilot vessel would fly is "hotel" or letter "h".
Proper use limits liability
I teach sailing primarily on inland waterways. I carry a blow-horn and we always use the horn everytime we can. It not only teaches the students to understand the signals, it is a lot of fun. I have never heard other sailors use sound signals in our area, but that doesn't mean they are unnecessary. In the event of an accident, if you have used proper signals, you will reduce your liability in court. The ColRegs are a little complex and difficult to memorize, so I tell beginning students just to remember "What side of our boat do you want them to see?" Give 1 short blast for Port, 2 for Starboard. This works for all situations meeting and overtaking, Inland and International. The ColRegs use terminology something like "Give 1 short blast to indicate the intent to alter course to starboard..." but to simplify it, if you turn to starboard, they should see your port side and vice versa. The difference between Inland and International is that Inland requires a response (same signal if you agree or 5 shorts if you dissagree) but International does not require a response. Either the stand-on or the give-way vessel may initiate the signal. Basically inland waterways are relatively restricted so you are expressing your intended action to the other boat and they will agree or dissagree (if they are the giveway vessel, they should agree). Due to the large distances that you should maintain between boats in International waters, you use the same signal but you are not expressing intent, you are simply telling the other boat what you are going to do. If the other sailors look at you funny because they've never heard a signal in 20 years and have forgotten what they mean, that's OK. At least they're awake and you've covered your A$$ and had a little fun.
I teach sailing primarily on inland waterways. I carry a blow-horn and we always use the horn everytime we can. It not only teaches the students to understand the signals, it is a lot of fun. I have never heard other sailors use sound signals in our area, but that doesn't mean they are unnecessary. In the event of an accident, if you have used proper signals, you will reduce your liability in court. The ColRegs are a little complex and difficult to memorize, so I tell beginning students just to remember "What side of our boat do you want them to see?" Give 1 short blast for Port, 2 for Starboard. This works for all situations meeting and overtaking, Inland and International. The ColRegs use terminology something like "Give 1 short blast to indicate the intent to alter course to starboard..." but to simplify it, if you turn to starboard, they should see your port side and vice versa. The difference between Inland and International is that Inland requires a response (same signal if you agree or 5 shorts if you dissagree) but International does not require a response. Either the stand-on or the give-way vessel may initiate the signal. Basically inland waterways are relatively restricted so you are expressing your intended action to the other boat and they will agree or dissagree (if they are the giveway vessel, they should agree). Due to the large distances that you should maintain between boats in International waters, you use the same signal but you are not expressing intent, you are simply telling the other boat what you are going to do. If the other sailors look at you funny because they've never heard a signal in 20 years and have forgotten what they mean, that's OK. At least they're awake and you've covered your A$$ and had a little fun.
1 for Seeing our Port, 2 for Seeing our Starboard
Capt. Jim's simplification is best I've ever seen! Thanks all for the good discussion. Dick
Capt. Jim's simplification is best I've ever seen! Thanks all for the good discussion. Dick
Captain Jim - thanks
Thanks for the explanation re. why the difference between Inland and International signals. Essentially it is that in Inland waters there is less room to manoever so we have to negotiate ahead of time. I hadn't thought of your approach "What side of our boat do you want them to see?" Give 1 short blast for Port, 2 for Starboard. I think that is good. My approach to remembering is to view the situation from my boat - similar to a car - 1 is for keeping right (my port will be to the other boat) and 2 is for keeping left (my starboard will be to the other boat) - as with yours it works approaching or overtaking. I think your method is nautically superior as it puts it in sailors terms. Thanks
Thanks for the explanation re. why the difference between Inland and International signals. Essentially it is that in Inland waters there is less room to manoever so we have to negotiate ahead of time. I hadn't thought of your approach "What side of our boat do you want them to see?" Give 1 short blast for Port, 2 for Starboard. I think that is good. My approach to remembering is to view the situation from my boat - similar to a car - 1 is for keeping right (my port will be to the other boat) and 2 is for keeping left (my starboard will be to the other boat) - as with yours it works approaching or overtaking. I think your method is nautically superior as it puts it in sailors terms. Thanks
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