1-15
Safety On Board
SOUND PRODUCING DEVICES
According to both Inland and International
Rules, all boats must carry some way of
producing an e cient sound signal. If your
vessel is 12 meters (39’ 4”) or longer, a power
whistle, power horn or bell must be carried. e
bell must be 7 7/8” in diameter.
Boats less than 12 meters a horn or whistle is
recommended to signal intentions or signal
position. e sound signal made in all cases
must be capable of a four or six second blast audible for one half
mile. See the section discussing bridge and whistle signals for more
information.
RADIO COMMUNICATIONS
VHF radios are used for distress and ship to shore and ship to ship
communications today. Learn the specialized messages such as
Mayday, Mayday, Mayday is only used when life or vessel is in
imminent danger.
NAVIGATION LIGHTS
e U. S. Coast Guard requires recreational boats operating at night
to display navigation lights between sunset and sunrise. Navigation
lights help avoid collisions by improving the night visibility of vessels.
Red and green directional lights, white stern lights, white masthead
lights and white all-around lights must be displayed in speci ed
positions, depending on boat size, and mode of operation. e
con guration of visible lights tells and operator the size, direction
of travel and means of propulsion (sail, power, rowing or at anchor)
of another vessel. Larger boats are required to carry larger, brighter
lights that are visible over longer distances.
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