Sound Signals

- Short means about 2 seconds

— Long means about 5 seconds

Sound signals for normal manoeuvres

  • I am turning to starboard   -
  • I am turning to port   - -
  • I am going astern   - - -
  • I intend to overtake you on your Starboard side   — — -
  • I intend to overtake you on your Port side   — — - -
  • OK, overtake me as signalled   — - — -
  • Warning on approaching blind corner   —
  • Reply to warning   —
  • Wake up call: I fail to understand your intentions   - - - - -

Additional signals (CEVNI)

  • I cannot manoeuvre   - - - -
  • Imminent danger of collision   ------ lots, very quick
  • I need medical help   - - - - —
  • I want to cross the waterway   — — —
  • I want to cross into harbour to starboard   — — — -
  • I want to cross into harbour to port   — — — - -
  • Assent or refusal of overtaking request is given by the appropriate turn signal only   - or - -
  • Upstream/downstream passing side clarification by upstream vessel is given by the appropriate turn signal. (note: in conjunction with blue boards)   - or - -

  • Sound signals in Restricted Visibility such as FOG

  • PDV under way and making way   — every 2 minutes. "here I come, sounding one"
  • Other vessels (sailing, fishing, RAM, NUC, Constrained by her draft, towing)   — - -
  • Last vessel in tow   — - - - every 2minutes
  • PDV under way, stopped   — —
  • Pilot vessel as for PDV plus four shorts
  • Vessels at anchor and aground many combinations but always involves bells
  • PDV less than 100 metres at anchor Bell, 5 seconds every minute

  • Distress Signals

  • All the following are recognised ways of indicating you are in distress and need assistance.
  • Flag N over Flag C
  • Dark flag over black ball
  • Mayday   by radio
  • SOS by radio or light signal   - - - — — — - - -
  • Arms waved up and down at sides
  • RED hand flare
  • RED star shells fire one at a time at short intervals
  • RED parachute flare
  • Continuous sounding of whistle, siren bell or gong or in form of SOS
  • Explosive signals such as a gun shot once a minute
  • ORANGE smoke
  • A fire aboard.
  • White smoke flares are used to attract attention
  • Green die is used as a SAR marker
  • A black square and black circle on an orange cloth is a SAR identification signal
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