Washington Administrative Code › Title 352 - Parks and Recreation Commission › Chapter 352-60 - Recreational vessel equipment and operation › Section 352-60-066 - Sound and light signals

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
For the purposes of this section, the term "short blast" means
			a blast of about one second's duration, and the term "prolonged blast" means a
			blast of from four to six seconds' duration.
(1) Maneuvering and warning signals -
		  International waters.
(a) When vessels are in
		  sight of one another, a power-driven vessel underway, when maneuvering as
		  authorized or required by these requirements, shall indicate that maneuver 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."
(b) Any vessel
		  may supplement the whistle signals prescribed in (a) of this subsection by
		  light signals, repeated as appropriate, whilst the maneuver is being carried
		  out:
(i) These light 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 be
		  not 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 five miles, and shall comply with the provisions
		  of Chapter  33, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 81, Appendix A, Annex
		  I.
(c) When in sight of
		  one another in a narrow channel or fairway:
(i) A vessel intending to overtake another
		  shall in compliance with WAC
		  352-60-070(6)(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 overtake you on your starboard side";
- Two prolonged blasts followed by two short blasts to mean "I
			intend to overtake you on your port side";
(ii) The vessel about to be overtaken when
		  acting in accordance with WAC
		  352-60-070(6)(e)(i) shall indicate her agreement by the
		  following signal on her whistle:
- One prolonged, one short, one prolonged and one short blast,
			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 five short and rapid blasts
		  on the whistle. Such signal may be supplemented by a light signal of 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 one prolonged blast.
		  Such signal shall be answered with a prolonged blast 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 one hundred meters (328.1
		  feet), one whistle only shall be used for giving maneuvering and warning
		  signals.