Rule 32 — Sound Signal Definitions

33 CFR §83.01

§ 83.01 § 83.01 Application (Rule 1). (a) These Rules apply to all vessels upon the inland waters of the United States, and to vessels of the United States on the Canadian waters of the Great Lakes to the extent that there is no conflict with Canadian law. (b)(i) These Rules constitute special rules made by an appropriate authority within the meaning of Rule 1(b) of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, including annexes currently in force for the United States (“International Regulations”). (ii) All vessels complying with the construction and equipment requirements of the International Regulations are considered to be in compliance with these Rules. (c) Nothing in these Rules shall interfere with the operation of any special rules made by the Secretary …

33 CFR §83.03

§ 83.03 § 83.03 General definitions (Rule 3). For the purpose of these Rules and Subchapter E, except where the context otherwise requires: (a) The wordincludes every description of water craft, including non-displacement craft, WIG craft and seaplanes, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water. (b) The termmeans any vessel propelled by machinery. (c) The termmeans any vessel under sail provided that propelling machinery, if fitted, is not being used. (d) The termmeans any vessel fishing with nets, lines, trawls, or other fishing apparatus which restricts maneuverability, but does not include a vessel fishing with trolling lines or other fishing apparatus which do not restrict maneuverability. (e) The wordincludes any aircraft designed to maneuver on the wat…

33 CFR §83.32

§ 83.32 § 83.32 Definitions (Rule 32). (a) The wordmeans any sound signaling appliance capable of producing the prescribed blasts and which complies with specifications in Annex III to these Rules (33 CFR part 86). (b) The termmeans a blast of about 1 second's duration. (c) The termmeans a blast of from 4 to 6 seconds' duration.

33 CFR §83.33

§ 83.33 § 83.33 Equipment for sound signals (Rule 33). (a) A vessel of 12 meters or more in length shall be provided with a whistle, a vessel of 20 meters or more in length shall be provided with a bell in addition to a whistle, and a vessel of 100 meters or more in length shall, in addition, be provided with a gong, the tone and sound of which cannot be confused with that of the bell. The whistle, bell and gong shall comply with the specifications in Annex III to these Rules (33 CFR part 86). The bell or gong or both may be replaced by other equipment having the same respective sound characteristics, provided that manual sounding of the prescribed signals shall always be possible. (b) A vessel of less than 12 meters in length shall not be obliged to carry the sound signaling appliances …

33 CFR §83.34

§ 83.34 § 83.34 Maneuvering and warning signals (Rule 34). (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: (1) One short blast to mean “I intend to leave you on my port side”; (2) Two short blasts to mean “I intend to leave you on my starboard side”; and (3) 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 pr…

33 CFR §83.35

§ 83.35 § 83.35 Sound signals in restricted visibility (Rule 35). In or near an area of restricted visibility, whether by day or night, the signals prescribed in this Rule shall be used as follows: (a) A power-driven vessel making way through the water shall sound, at intervals of not more than 2 minutes, one prolonged blast. (b) A power-driven vessel underway but stopped and making no way through the water shall sound, at intervals of not more than 2 minutes, two prolonged blasts in succession, with an interval of about 2 seconds between them. (c) A vessel not under command; a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver, whether underway or at anchor; a sailing vessel; a vessel engaged in fishing, whether underway or at anchor; and a vessel engaged in towing or pushing another vessel…