Ohio Administrative Code › Title 1501:47 - Division of Watercraft › Chapter 1501:47-2 - Rules of Navigation › Section 1501:47-2-35 - Sound signals in restricted visibility

Current through all regulations passed and filed through July 1, 2024
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 two minutes, one prolonged
			 blast.
(B) A power-driven vessel
			 underway but stopped and making no way through the water shall sound at
			 intervals of not more than two minutes, two prolonged blasts in succession with
			 an interval of about two seconds between them.
(C) A vessel not under command; a vessel
			 restricted in its ability to maneuver, whether underway or at anchor; a sailing
			 vessel; a vessel engaged in fishing, whether underway or at anchor; 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 two minutes, three blasts in succession; namely, one prolonged
			 blast followed by two short blasts.
(D) A vessel towed or if more than one vessel
			 is towed the last vessel of the tow, if manned, shall at intervals of not more
			 than two minutes sound four blasts in succession; namely, one prolonged blast
			 followed by three short blasts. When practicable, this signal shall be made
			 immediately after the signal made by the towing vessel.
(E) 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 paragraph (A)
			 or (B) of this rule.
(F) A vessel
			 at anchor shall at intervals of not more than one minute ring the bell rapidly
			 for about five seconds. In a vessel of one hundred 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 five seconds in
			 the after part of the vessel. A vessel at anchor may in addition sound three
			 blasts in succession; namely, one short, one prolonged and one short blast, to
			 give warning of its position and of the possibility of collision to an
			 approaching vessel.
(G) A vessel
			 aground shall give the bell signal and if required the gong signal prescribed
			 in paragraph (F) 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.
(H) A vessel of less than twelve
			 meters in length shall not be obliged to give the above-mentioned signals but,
			 if it does not, shall make some other efficient sound signal at intervals of
			 not more than two minutes.
(I) A
			 pilot vessel when engaged on pilotage duty may in addition to the signals
			 prescribed in paragraph (A), (B) or (F) of this rule sound an identity signal
			 consisting of four short blasts.
(J) The following vessels shall not be
			 required to sound signals as prescribed in paragraph (F) of this rule when
			 anchored in a special anchorage area designated by the secretary:
(1) A vessel of less than twenty meters in
			 length.
(2) A barge, canal boat,
			 scow, or other nondescript craft.
No person shall operate or permit to be operated, any vessel on
				the waters in this state, in violation of this rule.