Knowing the right boat sound signals for boat safety

Understanding all of the safety precautions that have been put in place is a great way to assure that every water enthusiast can enjoy another day on the water. Every safety aspect of boating has been created with safety in mind. From lights, sounds and even colors anyone on the water should have a basic understanding. Just to be safe.  

Key Points

• Legal requirements
• What’s the difference between short and long? 
• Maneuvering signals
• Doing it proper

Legal -There are boat size restrictions for sound devices.

Depending on the size of your boat requires specific resources. Think of a bike horn versus a semi truck, very similar concept. But in the moment of an emergency, use anything you can to make noise. Pots, pans, yelling or doing anything to keep yourself safe. Any sound can be considered a boat safety sound.

• Boats less than 39.4 feet in length – must carry an efficient sound producing device. In general, this may be a bell, whistle, or air horn. 
• Boats at least 39.4 feet to less than 65.6 feet 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 in diameter.

What’s the difference? 

Sound is a simple way to get attention, from whispers for secrecy to yelling to get a point across. Boat Navigation sound signals try to do the same thing  From letting another boat your intentions or letting them know you have no control. Knowing the boat navigation sound signals can tell you a lot. With just a series of short and long what are called “blasts”.

Blasts

There are two different blasts used for warning and steering signals. Used in a variety of methods. These sounds can save your life. 

• Short Blast – Lasts about one second.
• Prolonged Blast – Lasts from four to six seconds.

Maneuvering Signals

Different blasts combinations for various actions on the water may use both short and prolonged blasts. Now there is a difference between being in land and international waters, but that is another story. We are focused on in-land waterway sounds. 

• One Short Blast – Means “I intend to leave you on MY port(left) side“. When you pass near another boat, you will maneuver by leaving them on your left side as you pass. If you are behind another boat, going the same direction and about to overtake it, one short blast means: “I intend to pass you on YOUR starboard(right) side, MY port(left) side“.
• One Prolonged Blast – Means you are leaving. Whether a dock or departing your slip. It signals to others “ I am about to be moving, be ready” A prolonged blast is also sounded when a boat is approaching a bend in a river where boats coming from another direction cannot be seen. It is sometimes referred to as the “blind bend signal”.
• Two Short Blasts – Means “I intend to leave you on MY starboard(Right) side”. When you pass near another boat, you will leave them on your right side as you pass. If you are behind another boat, going the same direction and about to overtake it, two short blasts means: “I intend to pass you on YOUR port(left) side, MY starboard(right) side.”
• Three Short Blasts – This means you are operating in astern propulsion, for example backing away from a dock
• One Prolonged Blast + Three Short Blasts – This combination means; One prolonged blast indicates you are getting underway( leaving), and three short blasts indicate you are backing up. This is what is sounded when you are departing a dock in reverse.
• Five Short Blasts – This is the DANGER signal. DANGER DANGER DANGER. – If you come across a boat and you don’t understand their intentions( which direction they are going towards), or feel that their proposed maneuver is dangerous to either boat, then you are required to sound the DANGER signal.

Proper Sound Signals for boats

Proper Etiquette

When you approach another boat and hear either one or two short blasts, and you both understand their signal and can safely let them do it, then you are required to respond with the same signal in response. 

Passing Port to Port: Left side of boat to the left side of their boat:

When you meet an oncoming boat, and wish to pass port to port, you are required to sound one short blast with your horn. If the other boat is in agreement, they should respond with a similar blast.

Passing Starboard to Starboard: Right side of your boat to the right side of their boat

If you approach another boat head on, and wish to pass it on its starboard(right) side, you are required to sound two short blasts with your horn. If the other boat is in agreement, they should sound the same signal in response.

Overtaking Boats 

 Important: Any boat that is overtaking another must keep out of the way of the boat being overtaken. This means that you can’t expect them to move, slow down, or change their course. They will be maintaining their speed, direction and path. This is to minimize the potential for collision. Proper boat signaling is to repeat the signal back to the sender.

Overtaking on Portside ( passing on their left side)

• One Short Blast – Means “I intend to leave you on MY port(left) side“.

Overtaking on Starboard (passing on their right side)

• Two Short Blasts – Means “I intend to leave you on MY starboard(Right) side”. 

Either way be safe out there my waterway warriors!