If by "local" you mean the US, then yes.
Generally, you are more apt to hear these terms on the Gulf coast and East
coast, but you may still hear them out on the West coast.
Keep in mind that pilots tend to work on channels you are not normally
monitoring so that much of their normal "passing" traffic may not be heard
by you and it is not uncommon for tugs and other workboats to know these
channels (except when pilots use UHF) so they switch and make passing
arrangements on those channels.
You would need to frequent a particular area for awhile to know for sure
whether these terms were being used there, but it's probably more important
to know that you MAY hear them.
Where I work, I normally use "port to port", etc., but I frequently will
hear "red to red" and occasionally "one whistle"...... no big deal, one way
or the other.

otn

"Gary" wrote in message
news:JaXyg.278951$IK3.238705@pd7tw1no...

So what you are saying is it's slang, local terminology?

I have visited many American Ports, most recently Seattle a couple weeks
ago where I took a 100 foot sailing ship up the Chittendam Locks talking
all the way with Seattle traffic and other ships and no-one said one or
two whistle anything.

I thing it must be a very local phrase, certainly not in common use out
here or in Canadian Ports.

Gary

otnmbrd wrote:
If by "local" you mean the US, then yes.
Generally, you are more apt to hear these terms on the Gulf coast and East
coast, but you may still hear them out on the West coast.
Keep in mind that pilots tend to work on channels you are not normally
monitoring so that much of their normal "passing" traffic may not be heard
by you and it is not uncommon for tugs and other workboats to know these
channels (except when pilots use UHF) so they switch and make passing
arrangements on those channels.
You would need to frequent a particular area for awhile to know for sure
whether these terms were being used there, but it's probably more important
to know that you MAY hear them.
Where I work, I normally use "port to port", etc., but I frequently will
hear "red to red" and occasionally "one whistle"...... no big deal, one way
or the other.

otn

My original point was that the terms "one or two whistle pass" is not
commonly used by mariners around the world. It might not be clearly
understood. It may work when dealing with tug boats and pilots in a
particular area of the US but it is not a good way to learn to indicate
intentions if you venture a little farther from home. It wouldn't work
here in the Pacific Northwest.

As far as channels monitored for intership and passing arrangements, I
monitor the correct ones as dictated by the local the Vessel Traffic
Management System (VTMS), where ever I am. It is the law. If the
pilots and tugs are on a separate working channel using their own
version of slang, then it just doesn't matter to those of us driving
ships. Presumably, if they were making arrangements with me, they would
be on the proper designated channel, using the proper terminology and
monitored by the local VTMS.


Gary

"Gary" wrote in message
news:l54zg.277400$Mn5.102305@pd7tw3no...
otnmbrd wrote:

My original point was that the terms "one or two whistle pass" is not
commonly used by mariners around the world. It might not be clearly
understood. It may work when dealing with tug boats and pilots in a
particular area of the US but it is not a good way to learn to indicate
intentions if you venture a little farther from home. It wouldn't work
here in the Pacific Northwest.

As far as channels monitored for intership and passing arrangements, I
monitor the correct ones as dictated by the local the Vessel Traffic
Management System (VTMS), where ever I am. It is the law. If the pilots
and tugs are on a separate working channel using their own version of
slang, then it just doesn't matter to those of us driving ships.
Presumably, if they were making arrangements with me, they would be on the
proper designated channel, using the proper terminology and monitored by
the local VTMS.


Gary

It occurs to me that the two skippers are discussing how they will pass each
other via VHF, they could even perform a "Yankee Doodle Whistle," if they so
decided.

"Gary" wrote in message
news:l54zg.277400$Mn5.102305@pd7tw3no...
otnmbrd wrote:

My original point was that the terms "one or two whistle pass" is not
commonly used by mariners around the world. It might not be clearly
understood. It may work when dealing with tug boats and pilots in a
particular area of the US but it is not a good way to learn to indicate
intentions if you venture a little farther from home. It wouldn't work
here in the Pacific Northwest.

As far as channels monitored for intership and passing arrangements, I
monitor the correct ones as dictated by the local the Vessel Traffic
Management System (VTMS), where ever I am. It is the law. If the pilots
and tugs are on a separate working channel using their own version of
slang, then it just doesn't matter to those of us driving ships.
Presumably, if they were making arrangements with me, they would be on the
proper designated channel, using the proper terminology and monitored by
the local VTMS.


Gary

It occurs to me that the two skippers are discussing how they will pass each
other via VHF, they could even perform a "Yankee Doodle Whistle Pass," if
they so
decided.

"Gary" wrote in message
news:l54zg.277400$Mn5.102305@pd7tw3no...

My original point was that the terms "one or two whistle pass" is not
commonly used by mariners around the world. It might not be clearly
understood. It may work when dealing with tug boats and pilots in a
particular area of the US but it is not a good way to learn to indicate
intentions if you venture a little farther from home. It wouldn't work
here in the Pacific Northwest.

I'm not disagreeing with your point about "around the world" rather
explaining that you do hear it frequently in US waters.
The main reason it works and is used here is the Inland Rules and how
passing situation signals are set up. What is important, is not the fact
that you don't hear it used in your area, but that if you are travelling to
other areas of the States, you may well hear the terms being used and if you
know that you are not as apt to wonder what's going on.


As far as channels monitored for intership and passing arrangements, I
monitor the correct ones as dictated by the local the Vessel Traffic
Management System (VTMS), where ever I am. It is the law. If the pilots
and tugs are on a separate working channel using their own version of
slang, then it just doesn't matter to those of us driving ships.
Presumably, if they were making arrangements with me, they would be on the
proper designated channel, using the proper terminology and monitored by
the local VTMS.

Not all Ports/harbors have VTS. Whenever you are in an unfamiliar area VTS
will be a great first choice but you need to be aware that it may not be
available and some local slang/channels may be in effect especially if you
are "driving ships". Although proper terminology is great, it's not always
used.

otn