Wow! You know how to cut and paste rules! You should take the time
to read them.

With the exception of Rule 34 (d), 5 short blasts, none of these rules
actually apply to a sailboat in a typical race. Unless of course, you
race with your engine running.

Actually there is a more subtle question this brings up: Since it is
assumed that the Colregs (or Inland Rules) are waived by racers, are
any of them appropriate? Clearly some are, such as sound signals in
the fog, since you don't know if the boats you might be interacting
with are racing, but are there rules that must be followed if you know
the other boat is racing? For example, must rule 34d be followed?
Must it be ignored?




rhys wrote:
On Tue, 04 Apr 2006 16:29:17 -0400, Jeff wrote:


I'm sorry, what sound signals in the Colregs apply to port/starboard
situations? Which apply to sailboats?


COLREGS Part D, Rules 32-36, with definitions in Rule 34:

Part D - Sound and Light Signals

Rule 32

Definitions

(a) The word "whistle" means any sound signalling appliance capable of
producing the prescribed blasts and which complies with the
specifications in Annex III to these Regulations.

(b) The term "short blast" means a blast of about one second's
duration.

(c) The term "prolonged blast" means a blast from four to six seconds'
duration.

Rule 33

Equipment for Sound Signals

(a) A vessel of 12 meters or more in length shall be provided with a
whistle and a bell and a vessel of 100 meters or more in length shall,
in addition be provided with a gong, the tone and sound of which
cannot be confused with that of the bell. The whistle, bell and gong
shall comply with the specifications in Annex III to these
Regulations. The bell or gong or both may be replaced by other
equipment having the same respective sound characteristics, provided
that manual sounding of the prescribed signals shall always be
possible.

(b) A vessel of less than 12 meters in length shall not be obliged to
carry the sound signalling appliances prescribed in paragraph (a) of
this Rule but if she does not, she shall be provided with some other
means of making an efficient signal.

Rule 34

Maneuvering and Warning Signals

(a) When vessels are in sight of one another, a power-driven vessel
under way, when maneuvering as authorized or required by these Rules,
shall indicate that maneuver 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".

(b) Any vessel may supplement the whistle signals prescribed in
paragraph (a) of this Rule by light signals, repeated as appropriate,
whilst the maneuver is being carried out:

*

(i) these signals shall have the following significance:
o

one flash to mean "I am altering my course to starboard";
o

two flashes to mean "I am altering my course to port";
o

three flashes to mean "I am operating astern propulsion".
*

(ii) the duration of each flash shall be about one second, the
interval between flashes shall be about one second, and the interval
between successive signals shall not be less than ten seconds.
*

(iii) the light used for this signal shall, if fitted, be an
all-round white light, visible at a minimum range of 5 miles, and
shall comply with the provisions of Annex I to these Regulations.

(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.
o

two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast to mean
"I intend to overtake you on your starboard side";
o

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 9(e)(i) shall indicate her agreement by the following signal on
her whistle:
o

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. Such signal may be supplemented by at
least five short and rapid flashes.

(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.

(f) If whistles are fitted on a vessel at a distance apart of more
than 100 meters, one whistle only shall be used for giving maneuvering
and warning signals.

Rule 35

Sound Signals in Restricted Visibility

In or near an area of restricted visibility, whether by day or night
the signals prescribed in this Rule shall be used as follows:
(a) A power-driven vessel making way through the water shall sound at
intervals of not more than 2 minutes one prolonged blast.

(b) A power-driven vessel underway but stopped and making no way
through the water shall sound at intervals of no more than 2 minutes
two prolonged blasts in succession with an interval of about 2 seconds
between them.

(c) A vessel not under command, a vessel restricted in her ability to
maneuver, a vessel constrained by her draft, a sailing vessel, a
vessel engaged in fishing and a vessel engaged in towing or pushing
another vessel shall, instead of the signals prescribed in paragraph
(a) or (b) of this Rule, sound at intervals of not more than 2 minutes
three blasts in succession, namely one prolonged followed by two short
blasts.

(d) A vessel engaged in fishing, when at anchor, and a vessel
restricted in her ability to maneuver when carrying out her work at
anchor, shall instead of the signals prescribed in paragraph (g) of
this Rule sound the signal prescribed in paragraph (c) of this Rule.

(e) A vessel towed or if more than one vessel is being towed the last
vessel of the tow, if manned, shall at intervals of not more than 2
minutes sound four blasts in succession, namely one prolonged followed
by three short blasts. When practicable, this signal shall be made
immediately after the signal made by the towing vessel.

(f) When a pushing vessel and a vessel being pushed ahead are rigidly
connected in a composite unit they shall be regarded as a power-driven
vessel and shall give the signals prescribed in paragraphs (a) or (b)
of this Rule.

(g) A vessel at anchor shall at intervals of not more than 1 minute
ring the bell rapidly for ten seconds. In a vessel 100 meters or more
in length the bell shall be sounded in the forepart of the vessel and
immediately after the ringing of the bell the gong shall be sounded
rapidly for about 5 seconds in the after part of the vessel. A vessel
at anchor may in addition sound three blasts in succession, namely one
short, one long and one short blast, to give warning of her position
and of the possibility of collision to an approaching vessel.

(h) A vessel aground shall give the bell signal and if required the
gong signal prescribed in paragraph (g) of this Rule and shall, in
addition, give three separate and distinct strokes on the bell
immediately before and after the rapid ringing of the bell. A vessel
aground may in addition sound an appropriate whistle signal.

(i) A vessel of less than 12 meters in length shall not be obliged to
give the above mentioned signals but, if she does not, shall make some
other efficient sound signal at intervals of not more than 2 minutes.

(j) A pilotage vessel when engaged on pilotage duty may in addition to
the signals prescribed in paragraph (a), (b) or (g) of this Rule sound
an identity signal consisting of four short blasts.

Rule 36

Signals to Attract Attention

If necessary to attract the attention of another vessel, any vessel
may make light or sound signals that cannot be mistaken for any signal
authorized elsewhere in these Rules, or may direct the beam of her
searchlight in the direction of the danger, in such a way as not to
embarrass any vessel Any light to attract the attention of another
vessel shall be such that it cannot be mistaken for any aid to
navigation. For the purpose of this Rule the use of high intensity
intermittent or revolving lights, such as strobe lights, shall be
avoided.