Just day dreaming

[Captain Coochie]

about actually going out on the river and thought about the sound signals boats give . Two toots for port one for stbd and lots ( eight i think ) for i am unsure of your intentions . As its the river its normally just the tour boats that need to use the last signal so how many toots do you give them to tell them you know they need the river so your going to hang back and let them do thier thing ?

 

[No Regrets]

Five for a turnaround!

You do nothing, they assume you'll give way!

 

[byron]

As its the river its normally just the tour boats that need to use the last signal so how many toots do you give them to tell them you know they need the river so your going to hang back and let them do thier thing ?

3 Toots "I am going astern"

 

[boatone]

3 Toots "I am going astern"

Strictly speaking, according to the Collision Regulations, 3 short 'toots' means 'my engines are going astern'. This really is different to 'I am going astern, as the boat may take some time to actually stop travelling forwards after the engines are put astern.

Chapter and verse follow ( I have trimmed out a load of stuff about light flashes etc.)

Rule 34
Manoeuvring and warning signals
(a)When vessels are in sight of one another, a power-driven vessel underway, when manoeuvring as authorized or required by these Rules, shall indicate that manoeuvre 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”.

(c)When in sight of one another in a narrow channel or fairway:

(i)a vessel intending to overtake another shall in compliance with Rule 9(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 Rule 9(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.

(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.

 

[Richard Shead]

I used

about actually going out on the river and thought about the sound signals boats give . Two toots for port one for stbd and lots ( eight i think ) for i am unsure of your intentions . As its the river its normally just the tour boats that need to use the last signal so how many toots do you give them to tell them you know they need the river so your going to hang back and let them do thier thing ?

to use four quite a bit during Henley Regatta, even the steamers would acknowledge this. We were on a large (tall) trawler yacht and it was always approaching the bridge.

 

[pheran]

Strictly speaking, according to the Collision Regulations, 3 short 'toots' means 'my engines are going astern'. This really is different to 'I am going astern, as the boat may take some time to actually stop travelling forwards after the engines are put astern.

At last, a chance to be really pedantic. Strictly speaking, the situation where 'my engines are going astern' cannot exist unless the ship itself is going astern (or they have become detached and have a mind of their own!!). The correct definition is therefore as per the quote from the IRPCS concerning the operation or engagement of astern propulsion.

 

[boatone]

At last, a chance to be really pedantic....... The correct definition is therefore as per the quote from the IRPCS concerning the operation or engagement of astern propulsion.

Which you will find quoted precisely in the 'chapter and verse' from the colregs I quoted in my post
–three short blasts to mean “I am operating astern propulsion”.

Not that I'M being pedantic, of course ......(loose translation - 'Yah, boo, sucks etc etc)

 

[TrueBlue]

I don't mind admitting

that I am a bit anal about Sound Signals; mainly because folks just don't use them to inform other folks that they (the party of the first part) are doing something "unusual".

How often have you seen a boat suddenly turn around or violently change direction shortly in front of you with no apparent care or reason?

One of the challenges is that there are three main sources of definitions and these clash:-

EA's non tidal Thames bye laws,
PLA's bye laws,
ICC rules (as quoted by B1)

EA says (simplified explanation):-

One toot = going right
Two toots = going left
Three toots = going backwards

Four toots = tuning round, followed by
one toot = to the right
two toots = to the left

In common use but not specified,
five toots = variously; get out of the asterisk way, or I am unable to manoeuvre, I'm here but you are ignoring me
EA has 1 long + two short toots - which I've never heard ('cept for Alaska towing another large boat recently)

For me four toots + is the most useful as it's usually a protracted process to turn a big boat (at least), and the one most likely to cause inconvenience to other boaters.

The large Bisham training DB was doing something strange above Hurley in late August; slowed down mid stream, hovered, turned his bow toward the nearside bank, stopped, reversed, stopped again, then slowly started moving upstream. Several boats were coming up out of the lock and were at a loss to stop, or to take him on one side of the other. Looking back after all had passed it was then clear that he was practicing turning.

Had he given a signal initially there would have been no confusion.

Bisham have said they will now train in sound signals as well.

'Er indoors (in the cabin, sitting on the front deck) doesn't like me giving any signal; disturbs the peace and quiet, she says.

Common practice has one toot as:-
Oi!
Hello,
Lockie you've missed me,
Substitute for five toots.

Oh, and the PLA (perhaps ICC) says one toot means I'm coming out of a harbour, marina, joining from a lesser waterway.

The conflicts mentioned above are an irritation, but as so few peeps use them, I don't see that it matters a lot, sadly...

 

[pheran]

And then there's one long, one short, one long. Which in Holland at least, means 'Get your arse in gear and open the bridge for me!!

 

[pheran]

Which you will find quoted precisely in the 'chapter and verse' from the colregs I quoted in my post

Instant disqualification! Thats why I said 'as per the quote from the IRPCS' ie your quote. Do try and keep up, Tony.

Na na ni na na.........................

 

[sarabande]

I think it is about time the ColRegs were re-written using Standard Technical English.

The use of the word "going" is understood to mean "causing the propeller to rotate in a direction intended to move the vessel astern"; it can of course be misinterpreted as "the engines in the vessel are moving astern but the vessel is not". For the engines to move astern separately from the vessel in which they are installed is of course unlikely but not impossible.

Please note that I much prefer the use of the Cuchilo word "toot" to "blast", "sound", or "signal" (which can be aural or visual).


If anyone wants plans or instructions written in STE, I know a very good consultant ......

 

[pheran]

Please note that I much prefer the use of the Cuchilo word "toot" ....

Are you sure about that Tim? See definition here

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=toot

 

[boatone]

Are you sure about that Tim? See definition here

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=toot

Well, that explains why TrueBlue feels somewhat anal about sound signals.

This thread is now verging on the ridiculous so I am off - and may be gone for some time.

 

[pheran]

This thread is now verging on the ridiculous so I am off - and may be gone for some time.

Your middle name isn't Millyband is it?

 

[apollo]

Well, that explains why TrueBlue feels somewhat anal about sound signals.

This thread is now verging on the ridiculous so I am off - and may be gone for some time.

I'm with you tone, rapidly losing the will to live...

 

[TrueBlue]

Well, that explains why TrueBlue feels somewhat anal about sound signals....

Well, I never knew that; most amusing ha ha ha
Mark you I'm having occasional electrical problems with my sound signal device, so it currently does sound like an umm- toot!

 

[pheran]

I'm with you tone, rapidly losing the will to live...

Your only contribution to the thread but well up to your usual wit and erudition

 

[Captain Coochie]

Three . Thats handy cause i know what one and two is

 

[apollo]

Your only contribution to the thread but well up to your usual wit and erudition

Was that called for...really?

You dont seem to be able to take a hint when you are being ever so slighty..........

 

[ancientsailor]

to use four quite a bit during Henley Regatta, even the steamers would acknowledge this. We were on a large (tall) trawler yacht and it was always approaching the bridge.

of course, in an area:

• where IRPCS apply and
• in or near an area of restricted vistibility

this is the signal for vessel engaged in pilotage duties