RYA Powerboat Training

Sound signals in reduced visibility (fog)

The best way to remember these sound signals is to split them by ship condition:
  1. Making way and unrestricted in their ability to manoeuvre:
  2. Making way but restricted in their ability to manoeuvre;
  3. At anchor or underway but not making way; or finally aground

The first set - Making way and unrestricted in their ability to manoeuvre

The only boats classed as unrestricted in their ability to manoeuvre are power boats of all shapes and sizes, making way, but not engaged in any restrictive works such as fishing, dredging or towing, nor constrained by their draft.

Ships in this state all should make the same sound signal : One long blast every two minutes or less.

A ship or boat that is merely stationary but not at anchor (underway, but not making way) gives two long blasts every two minutes or less.

A pilot boat, for some reason, is allowed to add a further signal to its powerboat sound – four short blasts.

You don´t have to worry to much about the size of the vessel. The blast the Queen Mary II makes will not be confused with the sound your berth neighbour´s Sea Ray emits.

It is worth remembering the very large ships can neither turn, stop or reverse in order to avoid you. So if you hear a ‘large vessel blast’ you should be extra alert.

The second set – Making way but restricted in their ability to manoeuvre

This covers lots of boat types. Power boats engaged in work that makes them less manoeuvrable such as boats fishing, dredging, and towing, ships constrained by their draft and all sailing boats.

These ships and boats sound as follows. One long blast followed immediately by two short blasts (again, every two minutes or less).

Towing vessels should make an additional sound signal to alert other shipping to the extra hazard they represent. While the towing vessel makes the sound for a vessel restricted in its ability to manoeuvre, the vessel being towed has a sound signal all of its own and that is one long blast followed immediately by THREE short blasts. These sounds should be co-ordinated into a set. The towing vessel should do its one long and two short and then, after a SHORT pause, the vessel being towed should emit one long and three short blasts.

The third set: At anchor or aground

Ships at anchor and ships aground do NOT use the hooter. They sound bells and gongs, although, if they become alarmed, they may add a supplementary sound signal via their hooter.