Fog: sound signals.

[Joe_Cole]

Last week we went from Plymouth to Salcombe in fog with visibility varying from 50 to 100 metres most of the time. When we went into and came out of the fog there were plenty of boats around but we only saw one boat whilst we were in the fog (but we had about 50 false alarms!). However, there must have been boats around us at least some of the time.

During the 2 or 3 hours we were in the fog we didn't hear one sound signal; which makes me wonder if boaters bother with them. I'm not being judgmental (we had fog horns to hand but didn't use them), just interested to know if others bother.

FWIW I have my doubts that a typical boaty fog horn is likely to be heard anyhow. A ships horn is another matter altogether!

As a separate issue: with having to look after navigation and keeping a lookout, it is hard to keep a compass course in fog isn't it?!

 

[tome]

I made a similar observation as we crossed the shipping lanes. Fog signals are rare these days, but we heard a few from the ships. I suspect that this was to let us know we had been seen on radar, maybe wishful thinking.

My puny aerosol (careful with the spelling) would never be heard on the bridge of a ship so I never bother unless in close quarters with a small target.

Very useful all the same for Bastille night and the Tall Ships fireworks displays Cherbourg

 

[peteandthira]

Not quite on topic, I know, but my puny aerosol came in handy the other week when a motoring yacht came at me head on while I was sailing downwind. As he approached about 200m and still no sign of him having seen me, I gave him 5 short blasts and a head poked up from the tiller. He just simply waved and passed me about 5m away. I was even able to talk to him, although he didn't like what I said.

The best bit was the heads turning in the other 30 yachts within earshot.

 

[snowleopard]

I was out there and I did use my horn when the vis closed in. It was interesting that as soon as I sounded off, so did 3 or 4 others. I came inshore to keep away from the big stuff so it was very relevant to use the horn.

 

[landaftaf]

you are very astute

and by the way, fog signals on a commercial vessel are indeed heard a very long way off by smaller (and quieter vessels) ...... but can seriously detrimentally effect the rest periods of off watch personnel, so, are often only sounded to re-assure other vessels in the vicinity when needed, not indiscriminatedly as used to happen 25 - 30 yrs ago before radar became more effective

 

[tome]

Four years on the bridge of deep-sea survey vessels provides a perspective so I had a head start

 

[landaftaf]

did you sound your horn when in fog sailing in the middle of no-where, not many vessels did.

I remember ........ belting up the channel (before the traffic seperation schemes) at 25 kts in dense fog to make our eta in southampton. famous mail boat company wanting to arrive on time, scared the [--word removed--] out of me (I was 2nd officer of the watch) ..... mind you the duel fog horns probably could have been heard in london

 

[brianhumber]

Re: Ah memories memories

Can't recall using em when full away

On our older ships ( the ones were there was more cement and rubber than metal on the pipes), steam whistle use was restricted anyway, we were usually out of make up water and could not afford to burp several tons of precious feed water out of the funnel. Cannot recall the ford electric whistles ever working. Things did not improve till the Jap built ships came along in the 70s as they did not break and things got very boring

 

[Cornishman]

In addition to the off duty personnel (now PC known as human resources!) ferry companies do not sound fog signals because it upsets the passengers. Should they sound it is reckoned that passengers will never use that company again, and they pay the wages!