Topic starter
16/08/2010 3:43 am
I guess riverboats, incl towboats, etc, do not need the horn signals anymore because of radio? Or do they? I have deduced when it was used that 3 short blasts indicted a vessel was departing and entering the navigation channel. One Long, 2 shorts, One Long? What does that mean? Are these used anymore? And when a whistle is blown, what is the purpose of
the yellow (amber?) light that comes on?
16/08/2010 12:31 pm
There are already a couple of long threads on this subject. Essentially, 1 blast means I will keep you, on my port side. 2 blasts means I will keep you on my starboard side.
4 or more short blasts is the danger signal.
1 long followed by 1 or 2 short blasts is a greeting and is not an official signal.
The signal for entering a navigable channel has changed several times over the years and has varied between 1 and 3 blasts.
Other signals for entering and departing locks and meeting or passing dredges are also used.
Boats going with the current (downstream) have priority over boats going against the current (upstream). In other words the up-bound boat signals first. If the down-bound boats is agreeing itr will answer with the same signal. If not the danger signal is given and appropraite signals are made.
Having said all this, the boats today use the radio almost exclusively.
16/08/2010 2:53 pm
I neglected to answer your last question. The steam whistle was both an audible and visual signal, for the plume of steam could be seen even on a normal night. The whistle light was first tried on the steamer Sprague. When diesels took over they had no steam whistles and at times horn signals could not be heard owing to weather conditions, noise on the "listening" boat, etc. After a time the whistle light became required. I do not kinow when.
Topic starter
17/08/2010 4:19 pm
Found the Other Threads
Thanks for the info, Alan. I found the other threads you referred to.
Very interesting stuff........