(a) When vessels are in
sight of one another, a power-driven vessel underway,
when maneuvering as authorized or required by these Rules,
shall indicate that maneuver by the following signals on
her whistle:
·
one short blast to mean "I am altering my course to
starboard"; ·
two short blasts to mean "I am altering my course to
port"; ·
three short blasts to mean "I am operating astern
propulsion".
(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";
·
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) Any
vessel may supplement the whistle signals prescribed in paragraph
(a) of this Rule by light signals, repeated as appropriate,
while the maneuver is being carried out:
(i) these signals
shall have the following significance:
one flash to mean "I am altering my course to starboard";
two flashes to mean "I am altering my course to port";
three flashes to mean "I am operating astern propulsion".
(ii)
the duration of each flash shall be about one second, the
interval between flashes shall be about one second, and the interval between
successive signals shall not be less than ten seconds.
(iii)
the light used for this signal shall, if fitted, be an
all-round white light, visible at a minimum range of 5 miles, and shall comply
with the provisions of Annex I to these Regulations.
(b) Any 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 one second;
(iii)
the light used for this signal shall, if fitted, be an
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.
(c)
When in sight of one another in a narrow channel or
fairway:
(i)
a vessel intending to overtake another shall in compliance
with Rule 9 (e)(i) indicate her intention by the following signals on
her whistle:
two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast to mean "I intend to overtake you on your starboard side"
two prolonged blasts followed by two short blasts to mean "I intend to overtake you on your port side"
(ii)
the vessel about to be overtaken when acting in accordance
with 9(e)(i) shall indicate her agreement by the following signal on her
whistle:
·
one prolonged, one short, one prolonged and one short
blast, in that order.
(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".
(ii)
the power-driven vessel about to be overtaken shall, if in
agreement, sound a similar 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. [Such
/ This] signal may be supplemented by 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. Such 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. [Inld]
(h) A vessel that reaches agreement
with another vessel in a head-on, 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.
[Inld]
