ANNEX 6 - Sound signals

Français | Русский

I. SOUND INTENSITY OF SIGNALS

Requirements to sound intensity of signals are included in “Recommendations on Harmonized Europe-Wide Technical Requirements for Inland Navigation Vessels” (Resolution No. 61, amended).

II. MONITORING OF SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL

Requirements to monitoring of sound pressure level shall be included in “Recommendations on Harmonized Europe-Wide Technical Requirements for Inland Navigation Vessels” (Resolution No. 61, amended).

III. SOUND SIGNALS TO BE USED BY VESSELS

Sound signals other than the ringing of a bell and the three-tone signal shall consist in the emission of one blast or of several successive blasts having the following characteristics:

- short blast: a blast lasting about one second;

- long blast: a blast lasting about four seconds.

The interval between two successive blasts shall be about one second except for the signal “series of very short blasts” which shall comprise a series of not less than six blasts, each lasting about a quarter of a second, separated by a silence of the same duration.

A. General signals

	1 long blast		“Caution”
	1 short blast		“I am altering my course to starboard”
	2 short blasts		“I am altering my course to port”
	3 short blasts		“I am going astern”
	4 short blasts		“I am unable to manoeuvre”
	Repeated, 1 short and 1 long blasts		“Do not approach”
	Series of very short blasts		“Imminent danger of collision”
		Repeated long blasts	“Distress signs”	Article 4.04
Ringing of a bell

B. Meeting signals

Request to pass on the port side
	1 short blast by vessel proceeding upstream	“I wish to pass on the port side”	Article 6.04, paragraph 5
	1 short blast by vessel proceeding downstream	“Agreed; pass on the port side”	Article 6.04, paragraph 6
	2 short blasts by vessel proceeding downstream	“No; pass on the starboard side”	Article 6.05, paragraph 3
	2 short blasts by vessel proceeding upstream	“Agreed; I will pass on the starboard side”	Article 6.05, paragraph 4
Request to pass on the starboard side
	2 short blasts by vessel proceeding upstream	"I wish to pass on the starboard side"	Article 6.04, paragraph 5
	2 short blasts by vessel proceeding downstream	"Agreed; pass on the starboard side"	Article 6.04, paragraph 6
	1 short blast by vessel proceeding downstream	"No; pass on the port side"	Article 6.05, paragraph 3
	1 short blast by vessel proceeding upstream	"Agreed; I will pass on the port side"	Article 6.05, paragraph 4

C. Overtaking signals

Request to overtake on the port side
	2 long blasts followed by 2 short blasts, by overtaking vessel	"I wish to overtake on your port side"	Article 6.10, paragraph 2
	1 short blast by vessel to be overtaken	"Agreed; overtake on my port side"	Article 6.10, paragraph 3
	2 short blasts by vessel to be overtaken	"No; overtake on my starboard side"	Article 6.10, paragraph 4
	1 short blast by overtaking vessel	"Agreed; I will pass on your starboard side"	Article 6.10, paragraph 4
Request to overtake on the starboard side
	2 long blasts followed by 1 short blast by overtaking vessel	"I wish to pass on your starboard side"	Article 6.10, paragraph 2
	2 short blasts by vessel to be overtaken	"Agreed; overtake on my starboard side"	Article 6.10, paragraph 3
	1 short blast by vessel to be overtaken	"No; overtaken on my port side"	Article 6.10, paragraph 4
	2 short blasts by overtaking vessel	"Agreed; I will overtake on your port side"	Article 6.10, paragraph 4
Overtaking impossible
	5 short blasts by vessel to be overtaken	"I cannot be overtaken"	Article 6.10, paragraph 5

D. Turning signals

	1 long blast followed by 1 short blast	"I am going to turn to starboard"	Article 6.13, paragraph 2
	1 long blast followed by 2 short blasts	"I am going to turn to port"	Article 6.13, paragraph 2

E. Harbours and tributary waterways: entering and leaving, followed by crossing the waterway

E.1 Signals on entering and leaving harbours and tributary waterways

	3 long blasts followed by 1 short blast	"I am going to starboard"	Article 6.16, paragraph 2
	3 long blasts followed by 2 short blasts	"I am going to port"	Article 6.16, paragraph 2

E.2 Signals on crossing after entering the waterway

3 long blasts

"I am going to cross"

Article 6.16, paragraph 2

followed if necessary by:

	1 long blast followed by 1 short blast	"I am going to starboard"	Article 6.16, paragraph 2
	1 long blast followed by 2 short blasts	"I am going to port"	Article 6.16, paragraph 2

F. Signals in reduced visibility

(a) Vessels navigating by radar

	(i) Vessels, other than small craft, proceeding downstream	Three-tone signal repeated as often as necessary	Article 6.32, paragraph 4 (a)
	(ii) Single vessel proceeding upstream	1 long blast	Article 6.32, paragraph 4 (c)

(b) Vessels not navigating by radar

	(i) Any vessel proceeding alone	1 long blast repeated at least once a minute	Article 6.33, paragraph 1 (b)
	(ii) Ferry boats not navigating by radar	One long blast followed by four short blasts; repeated at intervals of not more than one minute	Article 6.33, paragraph 2