How to Understand Sound Signals

Being out on the water can sometimes present a cacophony of confusing sounds that seemingly have no meaning. Yet, every whistle, bell or blast of a horn is one boater’s way of communicating with another. The trick is know what they’re saying and why. These steps will explain how to understand--and use--some of the more common sound signals out on the water.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Air horn, whistle or bell

1. You hear one long blast while sitting in your boat at the dock. This means a boat larger than 65 feet is leaving the dock. The U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Rules for International and Inland Waters (72COLLREGS) require boats larger than 65 feet to sound one long blast when leaving a dock. This tells you to keep a watch for the larger boat as you leave the dock.
2. It is foggy and you hear a medium-length blast, then two minutes of silence followed by a medium-length blast, repeated over and over. This is the proverbial fog horn and is a warning to other vessels to keep an eye out and monitor radar. It is also the signal you must make when operating in fog.
3. You are in a channel and a boat sounds one blast from behind you. The other boater intends to pass you to starboard. You reply with one blast and maintain your course.
4. You meet another boat in a head-on situation. The other boat sounds one blast, signaling a starboard turn. You also turn to starboard and sound one blast. You pass the other boat “port-to-port.”
5. In either of the above situations, you hear two blasts, signaling a turn to port.
6. You hear five quick blasts. This is the emergency signal. Look around for the danger and take appropriate actions.

Tips & Warnings

• Never use your airhorn the way you would a car horn--to get someone to speed up or move out of your way.
• Never assume other boaters know the Rules of the Road or sound signals.
• Always maintain a good lookout, especially during foul weather.