Sound and Light Signals Rules 32, 33, 34, 35, 35, 37, and 38

Question 1

Seaplanes on the water shall attempt to

Answer 1

comply with vessel lighting if possible.

Question 2

Sea planes are not allowed to display

Answer 2

the yellow flashing light authorized for hovercrafts and hydrofoils.

Question 3

WIGS are not

Answer 3

sea planes

Question 4

Whistle means

Answer 4

any sound producing device that meets the specifications established in the annex to the rules. Lips are not included.

Question 5

A short blast by whistle (or flash of a light)

Answer 5

is of one second duration.

Question 6

A prolonged blast lasts

Answer 6

four to six seconds (an average of 5 seconds).

Question 7

There is no ___ blast in the Rules of the Road

Answer 7

Long

Question 8

Vessels 12 meters or more require

Answer 8

a whistle and a bell. There may be changes under international rules, however inland says you still need that bell between 12 and 20 meters.

Question 9

Vessels 100 meters or more require, in addition to the bell

Answer 9

a gong.

Question 10

At what vessel size (less than ___) is a whistle and bell not required?

Answer 10

12 meters, but is still must have equipment or SOME OTHER

Question 11

RULE 33

Answer 11

EQUIPMENT RULE

Question 12

Rule # 34

Answer 12

ACTION & WARNING SIGNALS

Question 13

When vessels are in sight of one another, a power driven vessel underway, when maneuvering as required by the International Rules, shall indicate that action by signaling: One short blast

Answer 13

I am altering my course to starboard

Question 14

When vessels are in sight of one another, a power driven vessel underway, when maneuvering as required by the International Rules, shall indicate that action by signaling: Two short blasts.

Answer 14

“I am altering my course to port”

Question 15

When vessels are in sight of one another, a power driven vessel underway, when maneuvering as required by the International Rules, shall indicate that action by signaling: Three short blasts meaning

Answer 15

“I am operating astern propulsion” my props are spinning in reverse

Question 16

In the international rules, one does not answer

Answer 16

action signals. Since one or two short blasts in International Rules indicates a course change, it is inappropriate for a stand-on vessel in an overtaking or crossing situation to signal.

Question 17

The prolonged blast around an obstruction answered by any vessel around the obstruction is not

Answer 17

an answer to an action signal, but an acknowledgment that someone is around the bend.

Question 18

Spin the wheel

Answer 18

Give the signal

Question 19

to keep blasts straight

Answer 19

put one dot on the right hand, two on the left and three on your butt!

Question 20

When vessels in sight of one another are approaching each other and the actions or intentions are not understood, or one feels that the other is not taking proper action to avoid collision, the vessel in doubt shall give

Answer 20

5 OR MORE short blasts on the whistle. Also note that it says vessels in sight of each other will give action signals including the danger/doubt signal. The point being that one does not use the danger/doubt signal in restricted visibility.

Question 21

Between each action signal there should be about ______ so they do not run together. They are only to be used when the vessels are within visual contact.

Answer 21

10 seconds

Question 22

Under International Rules, if in a narrow channel or fairway, when overtaking can take place ONLY if the vessel to be overtaken HAS TO TAKE ACTION TO PERMIT SAFE PASSING, the vessel intending to overtake shall indicate her intention by sounding the appropriate whistle signal.

Prolonged-Prolonged-Short to mean:

Answer 22

“I intend to overtake you on your starboard side.”

Question 23

Under International Rules, if in a narrow channel or fairway, when overtaking can take place ONLY if the vessel to be overtaken HAS TO TAKE ACTION TO PERMIT SAFE PASSING, the vessel intending to overtake shall indicate her intention by sounding the appropriate whistle signal.

Prolonged-Prolonged-Short-Short to mean:

Answer 23

“I intend to overtake you on your portside”

Question 24

Under International Rules, if in a narrow channel or fairway, when overtaking can take place ONLY if the vessel to be overtaken HAS TO TAKE ACTION TO PERMIT SAFE PASSING, the vessel intending to overtake shall indicate her intention by sounding the appropriate whistle signal.

The vessel to be overtaken shall, if in agreement, sound the appropriate signal. That signal is:

Answer 24

“Prolonged-Short-Prolonged-Short “

This is Morse Code for “C” or Charlie. If in doubt or refusing the request of the overtaking vessel, the vessel being overtaken may sound the danger-doubt signal of 5 or more short blasts.

Action signals, those indicating turning or backing or danger/doubt, shall only be used when in visual sight of other vessels.

Question 25

All underway restricted visibility signals are sounded at intervals not longer than

Answer 25

2 minutes.

Question 26

Not underway situations, such as anchored and aground, have a maximum

Answer 26

interval of 1 minute.

Question 27

Powerboats underway/making way, sound

Answer 27

one prolonged. (Assume you are busy at the wheel and only have time to make one signal every 2 minutes.)

Question 28

A powerboat underway/not making way (but not broken down)

Answer 28

sound two prolonged blasts

(indicating that you have time for a cup of coffee and time to make 2 signals every 2 minutes.)

Question 29

NUC, RAM, CBD, FISHING, TRAWLING, SAILING, TOWING OF ALL TYPES, ALL SOUND:

Answer 29

One Prolonged + 2 Short

Question 30

A power boat underway making either one or two prolonged blasts, upon losing power

Answer 30

, immediately switches to NUC fog signals.

Question 31

Vessels being towed shall signal

Answer 31

one prolonged + three short. This is mandatory if the towed vessel manned, and the signal is sounded right after the signal by the towing vessel. In a string of towed vessels, only the last vessel (if manned) will sound signals.

Question 32

Not underway situations, such as anchored and aground, have a maximum interval

Answer 32

of 1 minute.

Question 33

Anchored vessels, both power and sail,

Answer 33

ring the bell rapidly for 5 seconds each minute.

Question 34

Anchored vessels of 100m+

Answer 34

ring the bell rapidly for 5 seconds each minute, and add another five seconds of rapid ringing on a gong at the stern of the vessel

You hear the gong, she is long

Question 35

If an anchored vessel while ringing the bell senses (radar/hearing) another vessel
approaching and wants something more substantial (louder) to warn away the
approaching vessel,

Answer 35

she may sound Short-Prolonged-Short on the whistle.

S - P - S = Ship’s Position Stationary

Question 36

Vessel aground uses the same bell and/or gong signals as an anchored vessel does (5 seconds rapid ringing of the bell), plus

Answer 36

three distinct raps on the bell before and after the rapid ringing of the bell. The three strokes means “I AM AGROUND”

Question 37

An optional identity signal for a pilot boat that may be given IN ADDITION to the normal powerboat fog signal is

Answer 37

4 short blasts.

Question 38

To attract the attention of another vessel, but not a distress signal, one can

Answer 38

make signals both light and sound so that they cannot be mistaken for other signals. You have to be a little creative here. You may also use your spotlight to attract attention, as long as you don’t embarrass (blind) the other vessel’s operator.