with the Rules of Section I of this Part. (a) When vessels are in sight of one another,
(d) A vessel which detects by radar alone the a power-driven vessel underway, when
presence of another vessel shall deter- maneuvering as authorized or required
mine if a close-quarters situation is de- by these Rules, shall indicate that ma-
veloping and/or risk of collision exists. If neuver by the following signals on her
so, she shall take avoiding action in ample whistle:
time, provided that when such action one short blast to mean “I am altering my
consists of an alteration of course, so far course to starboard“
as possible the following shall be avoided: two short blasts to mean “I am altering
(i) an alteration of course to port for my course to port“;
a vessel forward of the beam, other three short blasts to mean “I am operat-
than for a vessel being overtaken; ing astern propulsion“.
(ii)an alteration of course toward a vessel (b) Any vessel may supplement the whistle
abeam or abaft the beam. signals prescribed in paragraph (a) of
(e) Except where it has been determined that this Rule by light signals, repeated as ap-
a risk of collision does not exist, every propriate, while the maneuver is being
vessel which hears apparently forward of carried out:
her beam the fog signal of another vessel, (i) these light signals shall have the fol-
or which cannot avoid a close-quarters lowing significance:
situation with another vessel forward of one flash to mean “I am altering my
her beam, shall reduce her speed to the course to starboard“
minimum at which she can be kept on her two flashes to mean “I am altering my
course. She shall, if necessary, take all her course to port“
way off and in any event navigate with three flashes to mean “I am operating o
ad
extreme caution until danger of collision astern propulsion“;
is over. (ii)the duration of each flash shall be
Sound Signals
about one second, the interval be-
f
the R
tween flashes shall be about one
All boats are required to carry some kind of
second, and the interval between suc-
sound equipment. The bigger the boat or ship,
cessive signals shall be no less than ten
ules o
the more specific the rules are about the types
seconds; R
of equipment that must be carried and the
(iii)the light used for this signal shall,
types of noises that equipment must be able to
if fitted, be an all-round white light,
generate. See Safety Equipment on page XXX
visible at a minimum range of 5 miles
for more details on what sound equipment is
and shall comply with the provisions
required.
of Annex I to these regulations.
Rule 34: Maneuvering
(c) When in sight of one another in a narrow
ules
and Warning Signals
channel or fairway:
R
(i) a vessel intending to overtake another
These rules apply to vessels that can see each
shall, in compliance with Rule 9(e)(i),
other; see Rule 35 for the completely separate
indicate her intention by the follow-
set of signals used to make your presence
ing signals on her whistle:
known in fog. Few yachts make use of the
two prolonged blasts followed by one
maneuvering signals on a regular basis, but it
short blast to mean “I intend to over-
is important to know their meanings because
take you on your starboard side“;
commercial ships in busy areas will adhere to
two prolonged blasts followed by two
them as a means of making their intentions
short blasts to mean “I intend to over-
known—even if they’ve already discussed
take you on your port side“;
their plans on the VHF radio. If a commercial
(ii)the vessel about to be overtaken when
ship is honking at you, there’s a good reason
acting in accordance with Rule 9(e)
for it. Note that along the NE U.S. coastline, it
(i) shall indicate her agreement by the
is common to hear tug-and-barge captains on
following signal on her whistle: One
the VHF radio refer to their intentions to pass
prolonged, one short, one prolonged
as being “on one whistle”(intending to pass
and one short blast, in that order.
on your port side) or “on two whistles” (pass-
ing on your starboard side).
863