Marine Navigation and Naval Operations I

1
Rules of the Road 32-37
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Lesson 20 Sound and Light Signals

• AGENDA
• Rule 32 - Definitions
• Rule 34 - Maneuvering and Warning Signals
• Rule 35 - Sound Signals in Restricted Visibility
• Rule 36 - Signals to Attract Attention
• Rule 37 - Distress Signals

3
Sound and Light SignalsInternational vs. Inland

• INTERNATIONAL RULES
• Sound signals for International Rules are signals
  of action
• Signals are sounded upon rudder order
• Exchanged by a power-driven vessel and another
  vessel
• Exchanged if vessels are in sight and
  maneuvering is required
• INLAND RULES
• Sound signals for Inland Rules are signals of
  intent
• Vessels do not maneuver until signals are agreed
  upon
• Exchanged between power-driven vessels only
• Exchanged if vessels are in sight and lt ½ nm CPA

4
Sound and Light Signals Rule 32 Definitions

• Short Blast- about one second duration
• Long Blast - 4-6 second duration
• Whistle any sound signaling device which meets
  specifications

5
Rule 33 Equipment for Sound Signals

• Vessels lt 100m in length whistle and bell
• Vessels gt 100m in length whistle, bell, and gong
• Vessels lt 12m in length some type of sound
  signaling device

6
Rule 34 Maneuvering and Warning Signals -
Overtaking

• An overtaking situation exists when a vessel
  approaches another vessel more than 22.5o abaft
  the beam.

7
Rule 34 - Maneuvering and Warning Signals
(INTERNATIONAL)

• Vessels are in sight of one another shall
  indicate maneuvers with following whistle signals
• one short blast I am altering my course to
  starboard
• two short blasts I am altering my course to
  port
• three short blasts I am operating astern
  propulsion

8
Rule 34 - Maneuvering and Warning Signals (INLAND)

• Vessels are in sight of one another and
  MEETING/CROSSING within HALF MILE OF OTHER shall
  indicate maneuver with following whistle signals
• one short blast I intend to leave you on my
  port side
• two short blasts I intend to leave you on my
  starboard side
• three short blasts I am operating astern
  propulsion

9
Rule 34 - Maneuvering and Warning Signals (INLAND)

• Response Upon hearing whistle signals, the
  other vessel will sound same signal, IF IN
  AGREEMENT
• If in doubt, sound danger signal and take
  precautionary measures
• Danger signal is at least 5 short, rapid blasts
  on whistle

10
Rule 34 - Continued (INTERNATIONAL)

• Vessels in sight of one another in narrow
  channel/fairway in overtaking situation
• vessel intending to overtake other will indicate
  her intention
• two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast
  I intend to overtake you on your starboard
  side
• two prolonged blasts followed by two short blasts
  I intend to overtake you on your port side
• vessel about to be overtaken will sound one
  prolonged, one short, one prolonged, and one
  short blast to indicate agreement

11
Rule 34 - Continued (INLAND)

• Vessels are in sight of one another in an
  overtaking situation
• vessel intending to overtake another shall
  indicate her intentions by the following signals
• one short blast I intend to overtake you on
  your starboard side
• two short blasts I intend to overtake you on
  your port side
• vessel about to be overtaken shall sound similar
  sound signal if in agreement

12
Rule 34 - Continued (INTERNATIONAL / INLAND)

• Vessels are in sight of one another and either
  fails to understand the intentions of the
  other/doubt the intentions
• indicate doubt immediately by sounding the danger
  signal.
• Vessel nearing blind bend/obstructed view of
  channel
• sound one prolonged blast
• to be answered with one prolonged blast by any
  approaching vessels

13
Rule 34 Maneuvering and Warning Signals- Crossing

• At night, the stand-on vessel sees the green
  sidelight of the give-way vessel, and the
  give-way vessel sees the red sidelight of the
  stand-on vessel.

14
Rule 34 Maneuvering and Warning Signals - Meeting

• A meeting situation exists if two power vessels
  approach on reciprocal or near reciprocal courses.

15
Rule 35 Sound and Light Signals in Restricted
Visibility

• VESSELS UNDERWAY
• Power-Driven vessel (making way) 1 PROLONG
  BLAST (2 min)
• Power-Driven vessel (not making way) 2 PROLONG
  BLASTS (2 min)
• Vessel Not Under Command, 1 PROLONG BLAST, 2
  SHORT
• Restricted in ability to maneuver,
• Sailing vessels, Vessels fishing,
• Vessels constrained by draft
• Vessels being towed 1 PROLONG BLAST, 3
  SHORT
• Piloting Vessel 4 SHORT BLASTS

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Rule 35 Sound and Light Signals in Restricted
Visibility

• VESSELS NOT UNDERWAY
• Vessel at anchor, less than 100 m 5 sec
  BELL (every 1 min)
• Vessel at anchor, greater than 100 m 5 sec
  BELL/5 sec GONG (every 1 min)
• Vessel at anchor 1 SHORT, 1 PROLONGED, 1 SHORT
• (warns position and threat of collision) (whistl
  e)
• Vessel aground, less than 100 m SSS/BELL/SSS
  (every 1 min)
• Vessel aground, greater than 100
  m SSS/BELL/SSS/GONG (every 1 min)
• (SSS THREE SHORT STOKES)
• Vessel engaged in fishing at anchor 1 PROLONG, 2
  SHORT (every 2 min)

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Rule 35 Sound and Light Signals in Restricted
Visibility

• DANGER SIGNAL
• 5 or more short blasts on the whistle
• indicates failure to understand intentions or
  actions OR doubt that sufficient action to avoid
  collision is being taken

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Rule 37 Distress Signals
p. 126 in Nav Rules
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QUESTIONS???