Wow! No wonder there's so much confusion out there on the waterway! I think part of it stems from the fact that the signals for INLAND Rules state what side the vessel intends to leave the passing/overtaking vessel on, whereas the INTERNATIONAL Rules state which direction the vessel is altering course to. Per Rule 34, a one whistle signal under Inland Rules means, "I intend to leave you on my port side" while a one whistle signal under International Rules means, "I am altering my course to starboard". Also note, that in Inland Rules the signal specifies INTENT and is really asking for permission from the other vessel before proceeding, "May I leave you on my port side as I pass or come around you?" Under the International Rules, the signal is an ALERT - "I AM altering course to starboard", NOT, "May I alter my course..." There's lots of little memory tricks used, but the easiest way I've heard is to think about which side of your boat the other vessel will pass down then remember that the word "Port" has one syllable so it's one whistle. "Starboard" is two syllables therefore two whistles. This works under Inland and International Rules - if you alter course to starboard the other vessel will pass down your port side, just as if you intend to leave a vessel on your port side under Inland Rules, it will pass down your port side. Since the Narrow Channel Etiquette Question referred to Inland waterways, here's the Inland Rule regarding signals: (A complete copy of the Navigation Rules, both Inland and International can be downloaded from: http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/mwv/navrules/download.htm in either .pdf or .doc format). See Rule 9 for regulations regarding narrow channels. Ray B. m/v MOJO Bebe Passagemaker 49-10 in steel www.mvmojo.com -INLAND- Sound and Light Signals 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.

Since this is such serious business, a confirming (possibly simplifying) comment - I was taught long ago that initiating 'one whistle' means 'I intend to leave you on my port side' and one whistle in response confirms; likewise, two, starboard. That's always been easy to remember. -Paul Turner At 11:12 AM -0400 6/27/03, m/v MOJO wrote: >Wow! No wonder there's so much confusion out there on the waterway! I >think part of it stems from the fact that the signals for INLAND Rules state >what side the vessel intends to leave the passing/overtaking vessel on, >whereas the INTERNATIONAL Rules state which direction the vessel is altering >course to. Per Rule 34, a one whistle signal under Inland Rules means, "I >intend to leave you on my port side" while a one whistle signal under [SNIP]

Keep it very simple. ONE WHISTLE - turn right. TWO WHISTLES - turn left. This ensures you will be correct whether you are passing or overtaking. Maurice Marwood aepmem@bahamas.net.bs Nassau, Bahamas Kassequa, 1970 Chris Craft 47' Commander -----Original Message----- From: trawler-world-list-bounces@lists.samurai.com [mailto:trawler-world-list-bounces@lists.samurai.com] On Behalf Of m/v MOJO Sent: Friday, June 27, 2003 11:12 AM To: TWL Subject: TWL: passing signals Wow! No wonder there's so much confusion out there on the waterway!

I thought the previous discussion had to do with overtaking situations, not the meeting or crossing rules you cite. Bob Peterson From: m/v MOJO Sent: Friday, June 27, 2003 8:12 AM To: TWL Subject: TWL: passing signals Wow! No wonder there's so much confusion out there on the waterway!

Bob; Oops, I accidently omitted the continuation of Rule 34. Here is the entire rule below. Sorry for any confusion. See 34(c) for overtaking. The signals are the same but again, the way they are worded contributes to the confusion with one vs. two whistles. -INLAND- Sound and Light Signals 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. Sound and Light Signals RULE 34-CONTINUED (c) When in sight of one another: (i) a power-driven vessel intending to overtake another power-driven vessel shall indicate her intention by the following signals on her whistle: one short blast to mean "I intend to overtake you on your starboard side"; two short blasts to mean "I intend to overtake you on your port side"; and (ii) the power-driven vessel about to be overtaken shall, if in agreement, sound a similar sound signal. If in doubt she shall sound the danger signal prescribed in paragraph (d). (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. This signal may be supplemented by a light signal of 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. This 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. (g) When a power-driven vessel is leaving a dock or berth, she shall sound one prolonged blast. (h) A vessel that reaches agreement with another vessel in a headon, crossing, or overtaking situation, as for example, by using the radiotelephone as prescribed by the Vessel Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone Act (85 Stat. 164; 33 U.S.C. 1201 et seq.), is not obliged to sound the whistle signals prescribed by this Rule, but may do so. If agreement is not reached, then whistle signals shall be exchanged in a timely manner and shall prevail. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bob Peterson" <bob@peterson.org> To: "m/v MOJO" <mail@mvmojo.com>; "TWL" <trawler-world-list@lists.samurai.com> Sent: Friday, June 27, 2003 14:05 Subject: RE: passing signals > I thought the previous discussion had to do with overtaking situations, not > the meeting or crossing rules you cite. > > Bob Peterson > > From: m/v MOJO > Sent: Friday, June 27, 2003 8:12 AM > To: TWL > Subject: TWL: passing signals > > > Wow! No wonder there's so much confusion out there on the waterway! > >