International Regulations for
Preventing Collision at Sea
(a) The word "whistle" means any sound signalling
appliance capable of producing the prescribed blasts and which complies with
the specifications in Annex III to these Regulations.
(b) The term "short blast" means a blast of less than ____________second's duration.
(c) The term "prolonged blast" means a blast from _____________ seconds'
duration.
(a) A vessel of 12 meters or more in length shall be provided
with a whistle and a bell 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 Regulations. 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 signalling appliances prescribed in paragraph (a) of
this Rule but if she does not, she shall be provided with some other means of
making an efficient signal.
(a) When vessels are in sight of one another, a power-driven
vessel under way, when maneuvering as authorized or
required by these Rules, shall indicate that maneuver
by the following signals on her whistle:
one short blast to mean "I am altering my course to ___________";
two short blasts to mean "I am altering
my course to __________";
three short blasts to mean "I am operating
___________________".
(b) Any vessel may supplement the whistle signals prescribed in
paragraph (a) of this Rule by light signals, repeated as appropriate, whilst
the maneuver 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 one second, the interval between flashes shall be about one second,
and the interval between successive signals shall not be less than ten 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.
(c) When in sight of one another in a narrow channel or fairway:
(i) a vessel intending to overtake another shall in compliance with Rule 9 (e)(i) indicate her intention by the following signals on her whistle.
two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast to mean "I intend to____________
on your __________side"
two prolonged blasts followed by two short blasts to mean "I intend to
__________ on your __________side".
(ii) the vessel about to be
overtaken when acting in accordance with 9(e)(i)
shall indicate her agreement by the following signal on her whistle:
________________________________________, in that order.
(d) When vessels in sight of one another are approaching each other
and from any cause either vessel fails to understand the intentions or actions
of the other, or is in doubt whether sufficient action is being taken
by the other to avoid collision, the vessel in doubt shall immediately indicate
such doubt by giving at least_______________ blasts on the whistle.
Such signal may be supplemented by at least five short and rapid flashes.
(e) A vessel nearing a bend or an area of a channel or fairway
where other vessels
may be obscured by an intervening obstruction shall sound ______________________________________ by any approaching
vessel that may be within hearing around the bend or behind the intervening
obstruction.
(f) If whistles are fitted on a vessel at a distance apart of
more than 100 meters, one whistle only shall be used for giving maneuvering and warning signals.
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 _________________________________________.
(b) A power-driven vessel underway but stopped and making
no way through the water shall sound at intervals of no more ____________________________
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, a vessel constrained by her
draft, a sailing vessel, a vessel engaged in fishing and a vessel
engaged in towing or pushing another vessel shall, instead of the signals prescribed
in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Rule, sound at intervals of not more than 2
minutes three blasts in succession, namely ______________________
blasts.
(d) A vessel engaged in fishing, when at anchor, and a vessel
restricted in her ability to maneuver when carrying
out her work at anchor, shall instead of the signals prescribed in paragraph
(g) of this Rule sound the signal prescribed in paragraph (c) of this Rule.
(e) A vessel towed or if more than one vessel is being towed the
last vessel of the tow, if manned, shall at intervals of not more than 2
minutes sound four blasts in succession, namely one prolonged followed by three
short blasts. When practicable, this signal shall be made immediately after the
signal made by the towing vessel.
(f) When a pushing vessel and a vessel being pushed ahead are
rigidly connected in a composite unit they shall be regarded as a power-driven
vessel and shall give the signals prescribed in paragraphs (a) or (b) of this
Rule.
(g) A vessel at anchor shall at intervals of not more than 1
minute ring the bell rapidly for ten seconds. In a vessel 100 meters or more in
length the bell shall be sounded in the forepart of the vessel and immediately
after the ringing of the bell the gong shall be sounded rapidly for about 5
seconds in the after part of the vessel. A vessel at anchor may in addition
sound three blasts in succession, namely one short, one long and one short
blast, to give warning of her position and of the possibility of collision to
an approaching vessel.
(h) A vessel aground shall give the bell signal and if required
the gong signal prescribed in paragraph (g) of this Rule and shall, in
addition, give three separate and distinct strokes on the bell immediately
before and after the rapid ringing of the bell. A vessel aground may in
addition sound an appropriate whistle signal.
(i) A vessel of less than 12 meters in
length shall not be obliged to give the above mentioned signals but, if she
does not, shall make some other efficient sound signal at intervals of not more
than 2 minutes.
(j) A pilotage vessel when engaged on pilotage duty may in
addition to the signals prescribed in paragraph (a), (b) or (g) of this Rule
sound an identity signal consisting of four short blasts.
If necessary to attract the attention of another vessel, any vessel
may make light or sound signals that ______________________________________________, or may direct the beam of her searchlight
in the direction of the danger, in such a way as not to embarrass any vessel
Any light to attract the attention of another vessel shall be such that it
cannot be mistaken for any aid to navigation. For the purpose of this Rule
the use of high intensity intermittent or revolving lights, such as strobe
lights, shall be avoided.
When a vessel is in distress and requires assistance she shall
use or exhibit the signals described in Annex IV to these Regulations.
Exemptions