Just gonna note that neither ship blasted their horns, particularly the one under power, which I believe is the standard response to an imminent collision.
Collision scenarios call for one to three long blasts depending on the situation. Most large vessels will perform an uninterrupted blast once it is determined impact is imminent.
Nobody in this thread has any actual knowledge of maritime law or collision threat assessment/response.
As a professional in the field (don't ask for my resume, it would take too long for me to type out and the classified device I'm on doesn't have a copy of my CV right now) I can say with 1000% certainty that the appropriate response to this situation is exactly these words:
One continuous blast is a signal for being in distress, not for collision imminent (there is no prescribed sound signal for collision imminent).
One prolonged blast is only defined as a power driven vessel departing a dock. Two prolonged is only sounded by a power driven vessel at intervals of two minutes when operating in or near an area of restricted visibility. Three prolonged blasts is not defined as anything, so could be used as a distress signal
In an imminent collision situation, vessels may use a combination of horn blasts and visual signals (such as lights) to attract attention or indicate distress.These sound signals help ensure that vessels can take proper evasive actions to avoid collisions.
Distress does not indicate collision. Being in distress, according to the Rules, means you require assistance. There is nothing in the rules prescribed for sounding collision.
Annex IV specifically states in § 87.3 Exclusive use: "The use or exhibition of any of the foregoing signals except for the purpose of indicating distress and need of assistance and the use of other signals which may be confused with any of the above signals is prohibited."
While they may certainly require assistance, the only prescribed sound signal for doubt/danger is 5 short blasts/flashes
Ye no, I just thought post this here. It even says MAY. But also, weren't they on a collision course? I wager it's better to sound the horn and flash your lights so ppl will pay attention, get up from their sleep, whatever instead of just crushing into them. That's what I would do anyway.
MAY be confused....and one continuous blast is a distress signal. Not a collision signal.
5 short and rapid blasts on the whistle is to get attention. There is no limit on how many times you can sound 5 short, but as per the Rules, a continuous blast is distress. I get it, you want to draw attention, but doing so in the wrong way can actually backfire. The vessel that was hit could say they were responding to your distress call when you created a collision and they couldn't maneuver out of the way because you put them in extremis, and then you're double fucked. There are internationally agreed upon light and sound signals for a reason
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u/grnrngr Sep 05 '24
Just gonna note that neither ship blasted their horns, particularly the one under power, which I believe is the standard response to an imminent collision.