It's the Law: Required Equipment for Your Vessel
Sound Producing Devices
In periods of reduced visibility a sound producing device is essential.
- The requirements on Montana state waters are:
 A vessel 16 to 26 feet long must have a whistle, horn, or other sound-producing device that is audible for one-half mile.- A vessel longer than 26 feet must have a bell, whistle, or horn that is audible for one mile.
- The following is required of vessels only when operating on federally controlled waters:
- Vessels less than 20 meters (65.6 ft.) in length, which includes PWCs, are required to carry on board a whistle or horn or other means to make an efficient sound.
- Vessels 20 meters (65.6 ft.) or more in length are required to carry on board a whistle or horn and a bell.
- No vessel may be equipped with a siren except authorized emergency vessels.
Some sound signals that you should be familiar with are:
Restricted Visibility
- One prolonged blast at intervals of not more than two minutes is the signal used by powerboats underway.
- One prolonged plus two short blasts at intervals of not more than two minutes is the signal used by sailboats under sail alone.
Warning
- One prolonged blast is a warning signal (for example, when coming around a blind bend or exiting a slip).
- Five (or more) short, rapid blasts are used to signal danger or to signal that you do not understand the other boater’s intentions.
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