Not yet, though I do know which signals to use. The problem is the other guy doesn't in most cases.

Jeff

Haven't had many occassions to use it on the Ohio R. Probably don't have a good grip on all the signals. But I have used it a few times. With barge traffic, it's been my policy to visually give the other captain a clear sign of my intentions by navigating well clear of his/her tow well ahead of a conflicting distance.


Of course, when I encounter one of the "cigarette boats" it seems that their attitude is:

"Horn? HORN?!?!? I don't need no steenking horn!!! "

Bill

Try using the proper signals at the Lake Erie Islands on a busy summer day and I assure you that you will get the 1 finger salute. The difference between Inland (intent) and International (execution) rules is that Inland rules require an answer.

example: 1 short blast (I intend to leave you on my port side) answered by 1 short blast agreeing to the passing maneuver.

Even when you do use the signals, its probable that you won't get an answer. Never hurts to try to be correct though!

Scott

In reality recreational boaters do not use and do not assume many would know what they mean. Most of the recreasional boats horns are so small they only meet min. requirements and you cannot hear them far enough away to actually determin passing agreements.

Have used them on the river answering signals from barges on a few tight curves.
Seldom heard any on the the Great Lakes except for backing out of slips and danger (5 blasts)

"Bridge to Bridge Act" Allows Commercial vessesls to establish signals via radio on VHF Ch 13 avoiding blowing loud horns. You will often hear on the radio "one or two cap"

This method works well when large vessels are in shipping lanes and establish radar contact miles apart.

Could you imagine the reaction from passengers on cruise ships if they blew those loud horns every time they passed another vessel!

dave

Ahhh... but horn signals in fog could be a life saver!
I made sure my VHF had a hailer and automated fog signals.

RULE 33 Equipment for Sound Signals
(a) A vessel of 12 meters or more in length shall be provided with a whistle, a vessel of 20 meters or more in length shall be provided with a bell in addition to a whistle, 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 lIl 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 signaling 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 sound signal.

RULE 34 Maneuvering and Warning Signals
(a) When power-driven vessels are in sight of one another and meeting or crossing at a distance within half a mile of each other, each vessel underway, when maneuvering as authorized or required by these Rules:
(i) shall indicate that maneuver by the following signals on her whistle: one short blast to mean “I intend to leave you on my port side”; two short blasts to mean “I intend to leave you on my starboard side”; and three short blasts to mean “I am operating astern propulsion”.
(ii) upon hearing the one or two blast signal of the other shall, if in agreement, sound the same whistle signal and take the steps necessary to effect a safe passing. If, however, from any cause, the vessel doubts the safety of the proposed maneuver, she shall sound the danger signal specified in paragraph (d) of this Rule and each vessel shall take appropriate precautionary action until a safe passing agreement is made.
(b) A vessel may supplement the whistle signals prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule by light signals:
(i) These signals shall have the following significance: one flash to mean “I intend to leave you on my port side”; two flashes to mean “I intend to leave you on my starboard side”; three flashes to mean “I am operating astern propulsion”;
(ii) The duration of each flash shall be about 1 second; and
(iii) The light used for this signal shall, if fitted, be one all-round white or yellow light, visible at a minimum range of 2 miles, synchronized with the whistle, and shall comply with the provisions of Annex I to these Rules.

The USCG can be very flexible about what is a "navigable" waterway. Years ago they tried to exert control over Lake George in New York, a landlocked 30-mile long lake. How? During the Revolution some of our guys wrestled a 30 foot longboat through the woods for miles, and that boat with a small cannon made them boss of the lake, cutting off supplies for the Brits. Now, there is a boat ramp, so you can skip the woods. But the only way to "navigate" out of there is by trailer. It is a wonderful place, I did a lot of sailing there years ago.

..."As if the USCG does not have enough to do already!"

You said it. That's why the wife and I are in the CG Auxiliary. We provide some of the services they can't.

Jeff

VFC and SO-IS
District 5NR
Division 10
Flotilla 10-2

I use me ships bell. One ding or two have found the horn seems to scare folks you know they think you are mother f img them. Bell is a Little more suttel. At my #2 marina it's nun to wide the small jobs like to crowd ya its a bit trying but worth it my final answer is useto now use bell

I do believe that legally a "navigable waterway" is any body of water in which you can paddle a canoe for 9 months a year. Maybe I can corner the market on teeny tiny red and green buoys. Do you think I should make them lighted or not?

"Navigable waterways: Those waters that are subject to the ebb and flow of the tide and/or are presently used, or have been used in the past, or may be susceptible for use to transport interstate or foreign commerce. A determination of navigability, once made, applies laterally over the entire surface of the waterway, and is not extinguished by later actions or events which impede or destroy navigable capacity. Precise definitions of navigable waters of the United States or navigability are ultimately dependent on judicial interpretation and cannot be made conclusively by administrative agencies. (33 CFR 329)"

I'm sorry, there is no mention of paddles or tiny buoys. Perhaps you could recycle the buoys as Christmas tree decorations, or some such. If so, they would probably be better if they were lighted.