On Sep 24, 3:02 pm, Bob wrote:
... Dont go ringing your bell as if you were a vessel over 20m. Why???
Cause people are going to think youre a vessel over 20m. ...

Having blundered around with the rule changes several times today I'm
reluctant to jump in again but it seems to me that if you have a bell
or something that makes a bell sound then you should use it if you are
over 12m just like you used to before 2003. For INTERNATIONAL waters
33 and 35 no longer require the bell for 12-20 meters and allow the
substitution of some other sound signal. I think that the wording
"not be obligated ... however, if she does not" in 35, implies that
the bell is still allowed or even preferred. As written, the INLAND
rules still REQUIRES the bell under rules 33 and 35 for 12 meters in
the USA, but I have it from several sources, some of them usually
reliable, that the Coast Guard is enforcing the INTERNATIONAL version
of rules 33 and 35 even INLAND. However, only the USGG can make the
determination of what the rule is in US waters. To get a definitive
answer the OP will have to ask them.

-- Tom.