There may be some regional influences at play here, but we are in an coastal port area with Navy, USCG, Air Force and all sorts of commercial shipping. I think the sound signals are nearly a dead or dying art. I have never heard sound signals used in 25 years on the water here. What you always hear is contact made via VHF radio and the vessel operators agree on passing needs......and they do refer to "1 whistle, Capt." or "2 whistle side". It is always done, unless you are in open water with lots of room, and there is never a problem.

If a sailboat, a small boat or some other idiot is there and isn't monitoring VHF 16, then the rules of the road control, and God help you if you are in the wrong place and can't get out of the way.

 

Second the "sound" signals on the radio, and I ALWAYS assume that boaters do not know the rules of the road.......so often they don't.

 

Its a shame more people do not practice them. From my slip I always need to back into the channel and with boats berthed on either side of me i need to use the appropriate signal for operating astern as I come out of the berth.

Most people in the area and know the rules of the road certainly give there undivided attention when they hear either one long blast or three short ones that someone is entering the channel or operating reverse propulsion. As far as the 1 or 2 short blasts I have never heard anyone respond with an appropriate signal either.

 

Where I boat in the MS, TN, AL area no-one seems to know or care about any stinkin' rules of the road. The only time I've ever seen any understanding of what to do is if two boats are approaching head on, then they seem to know to go to starboard. Other than that, it's every man for himself, and "don't y'all hurt nobody now!"...it can be a bit of a circus.

 

I have had a similar experience on Lakes Mead & Mohave. I used to think it was a local problem, but after reading this I suppose there are plenty of idiots to go around. I can't think of a single time where I met another boat out here in a crossing situation where it appeared they were aware of the rules of the road. Initially I felt determined to hold my ground in a case where I was the stand on vessel, but my sense of self preservation prevailed and I now typically slow down or alter course well in advance just to avoid the frustration.

I have discovered that an air horn makes a MUCH better signaling device than the Sea Ray quacker horn. A long blast on one of these commands much more attention!

 

bport- i remember back in 65,when i first took the pow. sqdrn. course--at that time rules of the road ment everything--other boaters aknowledged the fact that you honked,and gave right of way--my dad and i went together in a 30' chris a short time later--we went on a few poker runs,and nav. runs--it was quite an experience-i don't think there are that many type boaters around anymore--a few yrs. later in the lake wash. ship canal--a guy in a brand new searay ran right across our bow--low ,and behold we tied up to him when we were at ballard locks--dad asked him WTF--the guy had no clue of rules of the road-salesmen today sell boats (as-turn key,and go)believe it or not --thats the way some people do it --i still stick to the rules--at least i'v got a 50% shot !

my thoughts,steven

 

One good hand gesture deserves another. :thumbsup:
People that own sailboats are different... they do sandals with socks, wear spandex, have an assortment of tilly hats, eat beans before bed... and give them selves 'dutch ovens'... that sorta' thing... :smt001

 

Oh, c'mon, I hurt myself laughing over that one!!! :smt043

 

My initial reactions almost always start according to the rules of the road. However, like most of the others, I assume nothing. I find that space to operate and distance from other boats are my best friends. To me, this means reacting early and definitively. Generally speaking, it is not what other boats are doing, it is what I do.

 

Blow your horn all you want BUT a Sail Boat under sail ALWAYS has the right of way
and you are to yield to them..but if the sail oat is under power he MUST follow the same rules as a power boat

Sometimes it is NOT worth trying to be DEAD right....

 

This is not entirely true. Yes, as a general rule, sailboats have the right of way. But, under Rule 9 - in a narrow channel, they are required to keep to the right and they are obligated not to force a powerboat out of the channel IF the powerboat can't navigate outside that channel.

 

Agreed. I often find myself on a collision course with the right of way. Though I want to maintain course and speed for awhile just to see what the other boater does, I never do. It is just not worth the risk.

 

I have taught my son to keep his head on a swivel when piloting Old Skool. You boat enough and you will see things that are down right dangerous and stupid. The only saving grace is that if you are in an accident, you have done everything according to the book. Doesn't make lives come back but it can leave you sleep at night.

 

Maybe you can take some satisfaction that in the years to come, if that guy keeps his boat, just maybe he'll pick up a Chapmans, or other book and then he'll read about the horn signals. And just maybe, he'll remember the day he met you and he'll feel like a jackass for a moment... :smt001

 

I have had only a couple of run-ins with Blow boats—all positive.
A few weeks back, I was coming back into my marina and to get to my slip, there is a blind bend on my starboard side—Very blind.
I blasted one prolonged blast (with my wife laughing at me) and to my surprise—hers especially, I received one prolonged blast back. In about 15 seconds I got to the bend and sure enough, there was a blow boat under motor power waiting for me. As we passed each other, we smiled and waved.
The wife turned to me and said, “I know, you told me so” and since then has not ever questioned my blasting the horn—wwwweeeellll at least on the boat.
Bottom line, I use them—even if I get the finger, at least they would have seen me and we avoid each other.
P.S. I have never gotten a negative reaction from any one that I have signaled to that I can remember.

 

In the Seattle/Tacoma area we have Puget Sound (salt) and several fresh water Lakes... We can go through the "locks" to get to two of the lakes that are connected.

I find the difference between boaters on the Lake and boaters on the Sound are like night & day.... Please do not take offense if you are a fresh water boater and that is all you have access to.

It seems the lake boaters in my area are very recreational and most do not have a clue about any type of rules of the road.... The salt water boaters seemed to be a little more professional in there approach..... I know there exceptions to every rule and this is kind of a blanket statement, but it is my observation....

And with that I choose not to spend time on the lakes in my area.....

 

.... Please do not take offense if you are a fresh water boater and that is all you have access to......

What if we boat in fresh water but we sometimes consume adult beverages with salt on the rim.

Does that count?

 

If I did a prolonged blast followed by three short blasts before backing out of my parking spot, I'll be chased out of the marina.

It's been my experience that 99% of the recreational boats in our area don't know or care about the rules. Twice last weekend we were the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation and waited to see what the other guy would do. Both times, they just jammed in the power to cross in front of us, waking us all the while. Party on!

 

If I did a prolonged blast followed by three short blasts before backing out of my parking spot, I'll be chased out of the marina.

It's been my experience that 99% of the recreational boats in our area don't know or care about the rules. Twice last weekend we were the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation and waited to see what the other guy would do. Both times, they just jammed in the power to cross in front of us, waking us all the while. Party on!

I tried to count one day how many times I was the stand-on vessel and had to turn off to avoid a collision. I stopped counting at 12. If you follow the rules on our lake you'll end up dead, it is really unbelievable sometimes.:smt021

 

Sea Ray was ahead of the curve on this one.

They knew the signal (horn) portion of the rules of the road was going to go the way of bell bottom jeans so to get the last laugh they recorded a bird choking on a frog.

Today when you press your horn button you are really playing this recording.

Now you know……..the rest of the story. Good Day.

 

have to agree with fwebster.....down this way the same applies.....they acknowledge on VHF..."! whistle or 2" or pass you on the green side....or green to green......these are mostly commercial tugs in the area and you also need to monitor 13 as well as 16

 

In our area we have a lot of tug/barge traffic. If we are approaching in a narrow channel part of the Columbia or Snake rivers I will call them on the VHF as soon as I can read their boat name (with binoculars) to see which way they would like me to pass.

When encountering recreational boaters with my 330 I just assumed they didn't know the Nav Rules and would make a turn well ahead of a collision. Now, with a boat that is slower to turn (but also doesn't cruise as fast) I maintain my course.

Recreational boaters may not know the Nav Rules but most do understand the Rule of Tonnage and how it applies!

 

Recreational boaters may not know the Nav Rules but most do understand the Rule of Tonnage and how it applies!

That's what I tell the admiral when she is fretting about jet skis darting around and wants me to do all sorts of maneuvers to avoid them.