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Manoeuvring Signals For Vessel In Sight

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MANOEUVRING SIGNALS FOR VESSELS IN SIGHT OF EACH OTHER (RULE 34)
Manoeuvring signals are not difficult – which is handy, because they are very common, particularly in congested waterways or harbours – and you need to know them. They are made by vessels that are in sight of each other in order to clarify the actions that they are taking. 

According to the Rules, the ‘turning or slowing down signals’ in Rule 34(a) are mandatory for power-driven vessels, underway, that are in sight of each other and manoeuvring in accordance with the Rules.

Rule 34(a)
When vessels are in sight of one another, a power-driven vessel underway, when manoeuvring as authorised or required by these Rules, shall indicate that manoeuvre by the following signals on her whistle:

  • One short blast to mean ‘I am altering my course to starboard’;
  • Two short blasts to mean ‘I am altering my course to port’;
  • Three short blasts to mean ‘I am operating astern propulsion’.

These signals are only required of power-driven vessels, although the supplementary signals made by flashing light can be made by any vessel. In practice, these supplementary light signals, made from an all-round white light at the masthead, are quite rare: I have only seen it once in 30-odd years at sea.

Rule 34(b)
Any vessel may supplement the whistle signals prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule by light signals, repeated as appropriate, whilst the manoeuvre is being carried out:

(i) These signals shall have the following significance:

  • one flash to mean ‘I am altering my course to starboard’;
  • two flashes to mean ‘I am altering my course to port’;
  • three flashes to mean ‘I am operating astern propulsion’.

(ii) The duration of each flash shall be about 1 second, the interval between flashes shall be about 1 second, and the interval between successive signals shall not be less than 10 seconds.

(iii) The light used for this signal shall, if fitted, be an all-round white light, visible at a minimum range of 5 miles, and shall comply with the provisions of Annex I to these Regulations.

Turning and Slowing Down Signals (Rule 34(a) 

Notes:

  1. The third of these signals indicates ‘I am operating astern propulsion’, not ‘I am going astern’. So you sound it as you put your engines astern, even if the ship is still moving ahead in the water.
  2. These signals are only used by power-driven vessels, when they are in sight of another vessel.
  3. A short blast is of about 1-second’s duration.
  4. Can be supplemented by an identical signal from the masthead with all-round white flashing light.

Manoeuvring Signals in a Narrow Channel or Fairway (Rule 34(c))
You can also use manoeuvring signals in a narrow channel or fairway to remove ambiguity when one vessel wishes to overtake another. This applies to any vessel, not just a power-driven vessel, and allows the vessel being overtaken to signal her consent and move to the appropriate side of the fairway to make space for the passing vessel to come through.

Of course, in many such waterways you will carry a pilot and bridge-to-bridge communications will take place between pilots by VHF. But not always – and there is an enduring simplicity about these signals which makes them universally valuable.

Overtaking Signals in a Narrow Channel or Fairway (Rule 34(c))

Notes:

  1. Once again, ‘starboard’ is indicated by a single short blast and ‘port’ by two short blasts. Only this time they have the prefix of two prolonged blasts (4–6 seconds) to indicate that this is an overtaking
  2. signal.
  3. These signals may be used by any vessels in sight of each other, but only when proceeding along a narrow channel or fairway.
  4. The hawk-eyed among you will instantly recognise that the fourth signal: ‘I am not happy for you to overtake’ is not stipulated in Rule 34(c). This is, however, very much in the spirit of Rule 34(d) and would be understood as such.

Rule 34(d). The signal of ‘at least 5 short and rapid blasts’ (Rule 34(d)) is the most common of all of these manoeuvring signals. The Rules politely suggest that it should be used when ‘either vessel fails to understand the intention or actions of the other’. More often, in my experience, it is used to signal something along the lines of ‘Get out of my way, you idiot!’ It is a useful tool to have in your armoury.

 

© Not to be reproduced without written permission from Fernhurst Books Limited.

Learn The Nautical Rules Of The Road is written by Paul Boissier. Paul Boissier has spent much of his professional career working on the sea, or in support of the people who go to sea, and in his leisure time he is an avid yachtsman.  In the Navy he commanded and navigated warships and submarines in many parts of the world, ending his career as a senior Admiral. He then spent 10 years as Chief Executive of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, the charity that saves lives at sea and operates over 340 lifeboats around the UK and Republic of Ireland. This lifetime’s experience has given him a unique perspective on navigation, from the bridge of a warship, to the cockpit of a cruising yacht and the control room of a submarine.

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