Sound Producing Devices
The navigation rules
require sound signals to
be made under certain
circumstances. Meeting,
crossing and overtaking
situations, which will be
described in some detail
shortly, are examples of
when sound signals are required. Recre-
ational vessels are also required to sound
signals during periods of reduced visibility.
Your MasterCraft boat is equipped with a
horn, but you may also purchase aftermar-
ket devices in case of potential electrical
disconnect or failure.
Note: The requirement to carry a bell on
board no longer applies to vessels operat-
ing on International Waters.
The following are standard signals when
using a whistle:
One prolonged blast: warning.
One short blast: Pass on my port side.
Two short blasts: pass on my starboard
side.
Three short blasts: my engines are in re-
verse.
Five or more blasts: danger!
Visual Distress Signals
All vessels used on coastal waters, the
Great Lakes, territorial seas and those wa-
ters connected directly to them up to a
point where a body of water is greater than
two miles wide, must be equipped with
U.S.C.G.-approved visual distress signals.
Vessels owned in the United States but oper-
ating on the high seas must be equipped with
U.S.C.G.-approved visual distress signals.
Pyrotechnic visual distress signals must
be Coast Guard-approved, in serviceable
condition and readily accessible. This
means that:
• They are marked with an expiration
date. Expired signals may be carried as
extra equipment, but cannot be counted
toward meeting the visual distress signal
requirement, since they may be unreli-
able.
• If pyrotechnic devices are selected, a
minimum of three are required. That is,
three signals for day use and three sig-
nals for night. Some pyrotechnic signals
meet both day and night use require-
ments.
• Pyrotechnic devices should be stored in
a cool, dry location, if possible. A water-
tight container painted red or orange and
prominently marked “Distress Signals”
or “Flares” is recommended.
U.S.C.G.-approved pyrotechnic visual
distress signals and associated devices in-
clude pyrotechnic red ares, hand-held or
aerial; pyrotechnic orange smoke, hand-
held or oating, or launchers for aerial red
meteors or parachute ares.
Non-pyrotechnic devices may be al-
lowed. These include an orange distress
ag (day signal only) or an electric distress
light (which is acceptable for night use).
Use of these devices must still meet Coast
Guard requirements, information for which
is available online and from the Coast
Guard.
Under Inland Navigation Rules, a high
intensity white light ashing at regular
intervals from 50-70 times per minute is
considered a distress signal. Such devices
Page 1-18 2014 MasterCraft Owners Manual • Safety Knowledge
S A F E T Y K N O W L E D G E
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