Current through Register Vol. 24-06, March 15, 2024
For the purposes of this section, the term "short blast" means
a blast of about one second's duration, and the term "prolonged blast" means a
blast of from four to six seconds' duration.
(1) Maneuvering and warning signals -
International waters.
(a) When vessels are in
sight of one another, a power-driven vessel underway, when maneuvering as
authorized or required by these requirements, shall indicate that maneuver by
the following signals on her whistle:
- One short blast to mean "I am altering my course to
starboard";
- Two short blasts to mean "I am altering my course to
port";
- Three short blasts to mean "I am operating astern
propulsion."
(b) Any vessel
may supplement the whistle signals prescribed in (a) of this subsection by
light signals, repeated as appropriate, whilst the maneuver is being carried
out:
(i) These light signals shall have the
following significance:
- One flash to mean "I am altering my course to
starboard";
- Two flashes to mean "I am altering my course to port";
- Three flashes to mean "I am operating astern
propulsion";
(ii) The
duration of each flash shall be about one second, the interval between flashes
shall be about one second, and the interval between successive signals shall be
not less than ten seconds;
(iii)
The light used for this signal shall, if fitted, be an all-round white light,
visible at a minimum range of five miles, and shall comply with the provisions
of Chapter 33, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 81, Appendix A, Annex
I.
(c) When in sight of
one another in a narrow channel or fairway:
(i) A vessel intending to overtake another
shall in compliance with WAC
352-60-070(6)(e)(i)
indicate her intention by the following
signals on her whistle:
- Two prolonged blasts followed by one 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";
(ii) The vessel about to be overtaken when
acting in accordance with WAC
352-60-070(6)(e)(i)
shall indicate her agreement by the
following signal on her whistle:
- One prolonged, one short, one prolonged and one short blast,
in that order.
(d) When vessels in sight of one another are
approaching each other and from any cause either vessel fails to understand the
intentions or actions of the other, or is in doubt whether sufficient action is
being taken by the other to avoid collision, the vessel in doubt shall
immediately indicate such doubt by giving at least five short and rapid blasts
on the whistle. Such signal may be supplemented by a light signal of at least
five short and rapid flashes.
(e) A
vessel nearing a bend or an area of a channel or fairway where other vessels
may be obscured by an intervening obstruction shall sound one prolonged blast.
Such signal shall be answered with a prolonged blast by any approaching vessel
that may be within hearing around the bend or behind the intervening
obstruction.
(f) If whistles are
fitted on a vessel at a distance apart of more than one hundred meters (328.1
feet), one whistle only shall be used for giving maneuvering and warning
signals.
(2) Maneuvering
and warning signals - Inland waters.
(a) When
power-driven vessels are in sight of one another and meeting or crossing at a
distance within one-half mile of each other, each vessel underway, when
maneuvering as authorized or required by these requirements:
(i) Shall indicate that maneuver by the
following signals on her whistle:
- One short blast to mean "I intend to leave you on my port
side";
- Two short blasts to mean "I intend to leave you on my
starboard side"; and
- Three short blasts to mean "I am operating astern
propulsion."
(ii) Upon
hearing the one or two blast signal the other shall, if in agreement, sound the
same whistle signal and take the steps necessary to effect a safe passing. If,
however, from any cause, the vessel doubts the safety of the proposed maneuver,
she shall sound the danger signal specified in (d) of this subsection and each
vessel shall take appropriate precautionary action until a safe passing
agreement is made.
(b) A
vessel may supplement the whistle signals prescribed in (a) of this subsection
by light signals:
(i) These signals shall have
the following significance:
- One flash to mean "I intend to leave you on my port
side";
- Two flashes to mean "I intend to leave you on my starboard
side";
- Three flashes to mean "I am operating astern
propulsion";
(ii) The
duration of each flash shall be about one second; and
(iii) The light used for this signal shall,
if fitted, be one all-around white or yellow light, visible at a minimum range
of two miles (3219.1 meters), synchronized with the whistle, and shall comply
with the provisions of Chapter 33, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 84, Annex
I.
(c) When in sight of
one another:
(i) A power-driven vessel
intending to overtake another power-driven vessel shall indicate her intention
by the following signals on her whistle:
- One short blast to mean "I intend to overtake you on your
starboard side";
- Two short blasts to mean "I intend to overtake you on your
port side"; and
(ii) The
power-driven vessel about to be overtaken shall, if in agreement, sound a
similar sound signal. If in doubt she shall sound the danger signal prescribed
in (d) of this subsection.
(d) When vessels in sight of one another are
approaching each other and from any cause either vessel fails to understand the
intentions or actions of the other, or is in doubt whether sufficient action is
being taken by the other to avoid collision, the vessel in doubt shall
immediately indicate such doubt by giving at least five short and rapid blasts
on the whistle. This signal may be supplemented by a light signal of at least
five short and rapid flashes.
(e) A
vessel nearing a bend or an area of a channel or fairway where other vessels
may be obscured by an intervening obstruction shall sound one prolonged blast.
This signal shall be answered with a prolonged blast by any approaching vessel
that may be within hearing around the bend or behind the intervening
obstruction.
(f) If whistles are
fitted on a vessel at a distance apart of more than one hundred meters (328.1
feet), one whistle only shall be used for giving maneuvering and warning
signals.
(g) When a power-driven
vessel is leaving a dock or berth, she shall sound one prolonged
blast.
(h) A vessel that reaches
agreement with another vessel in a meeting, crossing, or overtaking situation
by using the radiotelephone as prescribed by the Federal Bridge-to-Bridge
Radiotelephone Act (85 Stat. 165;
33 U.S.C.
1207 ), is not obliged to sound the whistle
signals prescribed by this subsection, but may do so. If agreement is not
reached, then whistle signals shall be exchanged in a timely manner and shall
prevail.
(3) Sound
signals in restricted visibility - International waters. In or near an area of
restricted visibility, whether by day or night, the signals prescribed in this
subsection shall be used as follows:
(a) A
power-driven vessel making way through the water shall sound at intervals of
not more than two minutes, one prolonged blast.
(b) A power-driven vessel underway but
stopped and making no way through the water shall sound at intervals of not
more than two minutes, two prolonged blasts in succession with an interval of
about two seconds between them.
(c)
A vessel not under command, a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver, a
sailing vessel, a vessel engaged in fishing and a vessel engaged in towing or
pushing another vessel shall, instead of the signals prescribed in (a) or (b)
of this subsection, sound at intervals of not more than two minutes, three
blasts in succession, namely one prolonged followed by two short
blasts.
(d) A vessel engaged in
fishing, when at anchor, and a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
when carrying out her work at anchor, shall instead of the signals prescribed
in (g) of this subsection sound the signal prescribed in (c) of this
subsection.
(e) A vessel towed or
if more than one vessel is towed the last vessel of the tow, if manned, shall
at intervals of not more than two minutes sound four blasts in succession,
namely one prolonged followed by three short blasts. When practicable, this
signal shall be made immediately after the signal made by the towing
vessel.
(f) When a pushing vessel
and a vessel being pushed ahead are rigidly connected in a composite unit they
shall be regarded as a power-driven vessel and shall give the signals
prescribed in (a) or (b) of this subsection.
(g) A vessel at anchor shall at intervals of
not more than one minute ring the bell rapidly for about five seconds. In a
vessel of one hundred meters (328.1 feet) or more in length the bell shall be
sounded in the forepart of the vessel and immediately after the ringing of the
bell the gong shall be sounded rapidly for about five seconds in the after part
of the vessel. A vessel at anchor may in addition sound three blasts in
succession, namely one short, one prolonged and one short blast, to give
warning of her position and of the possibility of collision to an approaching
vessel.
(h) A vessel aground shall
give the bell signal and if required the gong signal prescribed in (g) of this
subsection and shall, in addition, give three separate and distinct strokes on
the bell immediately before and after the rapid ringing of the bell. A vessel
aground may in addition sound an appropriate whistle signal.
(i) A vessel of less than twelve meters (39.4
feet) in length shall not be obliged to give the above-mentioned signals but,
if she does not, shall make some other efficient sound signal at intervals of
not more than two minutes.
(j) A
pilot vessel when engaged on pilotage duty may in addition to the signals
prescribed in (a), (b), or (g) of this subsection sound an identity signal
consisting of four short blasts.
(4) Sound signals in restricted visibility -
Inland waters. In or near an area of restricted visibility, whether by day or
night, the signals prescribed in this subsection shall be used as follows:
(a) A power-driven vessel making way through
the water shall sound at intervals of not more than two minutes, one prolonged
blast.
(b) A power-driven vessel
underway but stopped and making no way through the water shall sound at
intervals of not more than two minutes, two prolonged blasts in succession with
an interval of about two seconds between them.
(c) A vessel not under command, a vessel
restricted in her ability to maneuver, whether under way or at anchor; a
sailing vessel; a vessel engaged in fishing, whether underway or at anchor; and
a vessel engaged in towing or pushing another vessel shall, instead of the
signals prescribed in (a) or (b) of this subsection, sound at intervals of not
more than two minutes, three blasts in succession, namely, one prolonged
followed by two short blasts.
(d) A
vessel towed or if more than one vessel is towed the last vessel of the tow, if
manned, shall at intervals of not more than two minutes sound four blasts in
succession; namely, one prolonged followed by three short blasts. When
practicable, this signal shall be made immediately after the signal made by the
towing vessel.
(e) When a pushing
vessel and a vessel being pushed ahead are rigidly connected in a composite
unit they shall be regarded as a power-driven vessel and shall give the signals
prescribed in (a) or (b) of this subsection.
(f) A vessel at anchor shall at intervals of
not more than one minute ring the bell rapidly for about five seconds. In a
vessel of one hundred meters (328.1 feet) or more in length the bell shall be
sounded in the forepart of the vessel and immediately after the ringing of the
bell the gong shall be sounded rapidly for about five seconds in the after part
of the vessel. A vessel at anchor may in addition sound three blasts in
succession; namely, one short, one prolonged and one short blast, to give
warning of her position and of the possibility of collision to an approaching
vessel.
(g) A vessel aground shall
give the bell signal and if required the gong signal prescribed in (f) of this
subsection and shall, in addition, give three separate and distinct strokes on
the bell immediately before and after the rapid ringing of the bell. A vessel
aground may in addition sound an appropriate whistle signal.
(h) A vessel of less than twelve meters (39.4
feet) in length shall not be obliged to give the above-mentioned signals but,
if she does not, shall make some other efficient sound signal at intervals of
not more than two minutes.
(i) A
pilot vessel when engaged on pilotage duty may in addition to the signals
prescribed in (a), (b), or (f) of this subsection sound an identity signal
consisting of four short blasts.
(j) The following vessels shall not be
required to sound signals as prescribed in (f) of this subsection when anchored
in a special anchorage area designated by the United States Coast Guard:
(i) A vessel of less than twenty meters (65.6
feet) in length; and
(ii) A barge,
canal boat, scow or other nondescript craft.
(5) Signals to attract attention -
International and inland waters.
(a) If
necessary to attract the attention of another vessel, any vessel may make light
or sound signals that cannot be mistaken for any signal authorized elsewhere in
these requirements, or may direct the beam of her searchlight in the direction
of the danger, in such a way as not to embarrass any vessel.
(b) For international waters only, any light
to attract the attention of another vessel shall be such that it cannot be
mistaken for any aid to navigation. For the purpose of this subsection the use
of high intensity intermittent or revolving lights, such as strobe lights,
shall be avoided.
Statutory Authority: RCW 43.51.400, 88.12.065, 88.12.125,
88.12.245 and chapter 33, C.F.R. Part 175.15. 94-16-027, §
352-60-066, filed 7/25/94,
effective 8/25/94.