Fog Horns - any point?

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My Standard Horizon VHF has a facility to automate a foghorn, (I guess that's what's prompted your question as you seem to be working on it at the moment).

I might live to regret my words, but I dont think so.

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I hope you live NOT to regret your words !
 
We seem to run into fog every year a couple of times....

Here is the view after grabing a mooring in Fowey a few years back...

Fowey3.jpg


Now I always use one of those tooty compressed air horn things religously... (Which then sends the dog nuts... ) But I have to say I have NEVER in the west country heard another fog signal..... Last time was coming into Plymouth from the West... and the vis cut down to about 20 meters... and their was a lot of leisure traffic around... we could here the throb of engines... but no fog signals.. I had one guy in a small fishing boat type of thing come out of the fog off my stbd bow, cut across me maybe 20 meters out.... then 3 mintutes later came back and did the same thing from my port side!!

We were coming in the Western Entrance and I was overtaken by a Sealine who must have been doing 25 knots...in near zero vis.

I for one sure think we should slow down and use our fog horns.
 
Yes. Used my foghorn a couple of times when we needed assistance (never in fog) to attract the attention of someone who wasnt listening to their radio and not looking at us. I'd keep a foghorn on board rather than flares if I had to chose - though why I would have to chose I cant imagine.
 
we have the one you blow - used it twice last year - once for a full passge up the wallet - no tankers inshore there but plenty of small stuff...
 
I cannot see any downside to carrying them, they can be used for warning in non fog situations, and are relatively inexpensive, and have no inherant dangers (other than to your hearing).

But Radar would be a better investment if you found yourself on trips that involved shipping lanes and fog regularly.
 
Nick,

I have a simrad that has fog horn and intercom capability. and YES I have had replys to my honking from ships in the channel, ships I did nt see. The other advantage is that it listens too, so I can often hear clearly instructions shouted from shore or insults from the foredeck!
 
Basic ships equipment. Needed in canals to open bridges as aforementioned, and in marinas to let folks know your intention, or that you're there.(backward-facing rowers)
If they brought in MOTs for boats, you'd fail without one.
The SEAheck man will want to see it as well.
 
Our local s/market sells kiddies compressed air horns with cannister for 1.99 .... I have a few on board. Cheaper to buy complete than refills !
Believe me these are not to be sounded of indoors !
 
I use mine to get other boats attention and handy on rivers when approaching bends.
The chances of a ship hearing it is zilch, just glad that I have radar. The Sea-Me active radar reflector would be a better device in fog to let ships know that you are there.
 
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