It's the Law: Required Equipment

Sound-Producing Devices

• Vessels less than 26 feet in length, which includes PWCs, are required to carry a whistle or horn or some other means to make an efficient sound signal.
• Vessels that are 26 feet 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 vessels used by law enforcement officers.
• You may not cause or permit the sounding of any sound-producing device while your vessel is within any harbor limits or in areas of congested waterway traffic.

Common Sound Signals

Some common sound signals that you should be familiar with as a recreational boater are as follows.

• A short blast lasts one second.
• A prolonged blast lasts 4-6 seconds.

Changing Direction

• One short blast tells other boaters "I intend to pass you on my port (left) side."
• Two short blasts tell other boaters "I intend to pass you on my starboard (right) side."
• Three short blasts tell other boaters "I am backing up."

Restricted Visibility

• One prolonged blast at intervals of not more than two minutes is the signal used by power-driven vessels when underway.
• One prolonged blast plus two short blasts at intervals of not more than two minutes is the signal used by sailing vessels.

Warning

• One prolonged blast is a warning signal (for example, used when coming around a blind bend or exiting a slip).
• Five (or more) short, rapid blasts signal danger or signal that you do not understand or that you disagree with the other boater's intentions.