The Colregs state:

-INTERNATIONAL-
Sound and Light 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.

This tells me that one minute intervals are legal.

Depending upon the traffic I should think that sounding the signal
at one minute intervals would confer a little extra safety.

S.Simon - a Captain who is serious about sailing


"Steve" wrote in message om...
While motoring last week we encountered thick fog and I requested a
crew member to sound a 5 second blast every minute. My thinking being
that the colregs specify an interval of not more than 2 minutes and
shorter would be better in a busy harbour entrance.

The skipper later said that I should have specified an interval of 2
minutes. A quick Google shows that the interval is sometimes quoted as
2 minutes, although I know that the colregs do say 'not greater than 2
minutes'.

Any thoughts ? Is exactly 2 minutes advisable for any reason ? Is 1
minute potentially confusing ?

Thanks

Steve