So as not to hijack the COLREGS it would benefit us all if everyone on the water at least knew the whistle signals for navigation. Its not really hard. Its just the "legal" words in the COLREGS, Section 34 make it seem so. There are a few simple thoughts that make it simple:
1. One long blast - "hey, pay attention" I'm coming from a potential blind spot and want to let
you know. (ie around a bend or leaving from a pier, etc.)
2. Three short blasts - my engines are going astern
3. 5 or more short blasts - "danger Will Robinson" we are in extremes and must both
take action to avoid collision (or I don't agree with what you are
planning.
For the overtaking, passing head to head, crossing, etc. you just have to remember:
EVEN TO PORT - ODD TO STARBOARD (for the direction you intend to turn or would turn if you had to) This concept works for both the International Rules and the Inland Rules, even though he words are different
One short blast - I am altering my course to Starboard (odd to starboard) - if you are under International Rules that is the stated meaning. For inland rules it has to do with what you propose. If you are meeting or crossing a vessel, it means you propose a port to port passage. If you are overtaking, it means I intend to take you (the overtaken vessel) down your starboard side. In both cases you would have to turn to Starboard to do that (if you had to turn at all).
Two short blasts - I am altering my course to Port (even to port) - same as above - if you are under International Rules that is the stated meaning. In inland rules, if you are meeting or crossing a vessel, it means you propose a starboard to starboard passage. If you are overtaking, it means you propose to take the overtaken vessel on his Port side. In both cases, you would have to turn to Port to do that (if you had to turn at all).
The proper response in the International Rules to signal agreement is One long and one short followed by one long and one short again (a response is only required for an overtaking situation).
The proper response for Inland Rules is to sound the same signal as given if in agreement for all signals. If you don't agree its 5 or more short blasts
The interesting thing is that no matter how much you use or rely on VHF, the Inland COLREGS state that if you don't reach agreement on the VHS, whistle signals are to be used and take precedence. So you need to know the signals. Its not really hard. Remember Even to Port and Odd to Starboard will get you most of the way there.
Rule 34 (h) A vessel that reaches agreement with another vessel in a head-on, crossing, or overtaking situation, as for example, by using the radiotelephone as prescribed by the Vessel Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone Act (85 Stat. 164; 33 U.S.C. 1201 et seq.), is not obliged to sound the whistle signals prescribed by this Rule, but may do so. If agreement is not reached, then whistle signals shall be exchanged in a timely manner and shall prevail. [Inld]
1. One long blast - "hey, pay attention" I'm coming from a potential blind spot and want to let
you know. (ie around a bend or leaving from a pier, etc.)
2. Three short blasts - my engines are going astern
3. 5 or more short blasts - "danger Will Robinson" we are in extremes and must both
take action to avoid collision (or I don't agree with what you are
planning.
For the overtaking, passing head to head, crossing, etc. you just have to remember:
EVEN TO PORT - ODD TO STARBOARD (for the direction you intend to turn or would turn if you had to) This concept works for both the International Rules and the Inland Rules, even though he words are different
One short blast - I am altering my course to Starboard (odd to starboard) - if you are under International Rules that is the stated meaning. For inland rules it has to do with what you propose. If you are meeting or crossing a vessel, it means you propose a port to port passage. If you are overtaking, it means I intend to take you (the overtaken vessel) down your starboard side. In both cases you would have to turn to Starboard to do that (if you had to turn at all).
Two short blasts - I am altering my course to Port (even to port) - same as above - if you are under International Rules that is the stated meaning. In inland rules, if you are meeting or crossing a vessel, it means you propose a starboard to starboard passage. If you are overtaking, it means you propose to take the overtaken vessel on his Port side. In both cases, you would have to turn to Port to do that (if you had to turn at all).
The proper response in the International Rules to signal agreement is One long and one short followed by one long and one short again (a response is only required for an overtaking situation).
The proper response for Inland Rules is to sound the same signal as given if in agreement for all signals. If you don't agree its 5 or more short blasts
The interesting thing is that no matter how much you use or rely on VHF, the Inland COLREGS state that if you don't reach agreement on the VHS, whistle signals are to be used and take precedence. So you need to know the signals. Its not really hard. Remember Even to Port and Odd to Starboard will get you most of the way there.
Rule 34 (h) A vessel that reaches agreement with another vessel in a head-on, crossing, or overtaking situation, as for example, by using the radiotelephone as prescribed by the Vessel Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone Act (85 Stat. 164; 33 U.S.C. 1201 et seq.), is not obliged to sound the whistle signals prescribed by this Rule, but may do so. If agreement is not reached, then whistle signals shall be exchanged in a timely manner and shall prevail. [Inld]
