Safer Navigation – Understanding the Importance of ship horns
Have you ever been near the coastline and heard the sound of a ship horn? Ever wondered what these ‘Fog Horn‘ sounds mean? Solarglide hope to shed some light on this for you, and educate you on why these sounds are so important for navigation and safety within the maritime industry
Cruise ships (which carry thousands of passengers) blow their horns to communicate with other ships. It’s a simple way to communicate their intentions to anyone within earshot without relying solely on ship technology. Usually, ship horns will indicate the planned movement of a ship, but they can also be used in an emergency to avoid collisions and groundings.
Ship horns and fog horns signals are governed by international legislation set by the IMO. These regulations specify the types of signals that ships must use in different situations, as well as the duration and frequency of each signal. It is important for all boat operators to be familiar with these regulations, and to know how to use sound signals correctly.
The sound signals used by ships include short blasts, prolonged blasts, and whistle signals. A short blast is a blast of about one second, while a prolonged blast is a blast of four to six seconds. Ships use different types of sound signals, including whistles, horns, and gongs.
The Sound & Meaning Of Each Ship Horn
Ship horn signals are used to communicate with other ships and to alert nearby vessels of the ship’s position and intentions. The signals are common across the whole of the maritime sector and are accepted and understood regardless of the language spoken by those onboard. Understanding ship positions and their signals are essential for safe navigation on our international waters. By knowing what each signal means, mariners can avoid collisions and respond appropriately to other vessels. Here are some examples of horn configurations and their meaning to ship operators and crew:
What Is The Meaning Of 7 Short & 1 Long Blasts On A Ship’s Horn?
Seven short, and one long blast on a ship’s horn means that the ship is in restricted visibility and is not able to manoeuvre as required by the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. This signal is commonly used when a ship is in fog or heavy rain.
Solarglide Ship Wipers | used for heavy rain and low visibility whilst at sea.
What Does 4 Short Blasts Of A Ship Horn Signify?
Four short blasts of a ship horn signify that the ship is manoeuvring in a narrow channel and that other vessels should keep clear. This signal is commonly used when a ship is navigating through a narrow waterway or passing through a lock.
What Is The Significance Of 3 Long & 2 Short Blasts On A Ship’s Horn?
Three long and two short blasts on a ship’s horn means that the ship is operating in astern propulsion (moving backward). This signal is commonly used when a ship is leaving a dock or manoeuvring in a narrow channel.
The Meaning Of Port Side & Starboard Side
Ships have two sides: port and starboard. Port is the left side of the ship when facing forward, and starboard is the right side. When a ship sounds a signal of one short blast, it means that the ship is altering its course to starboard. Two short blasts indicate a course alteration to port.
Merchant ships. Fairway of sea ships.
The Meaning Of Astern Propulsion
If a ship is moving in reverse, it will sound a long, steady blast. This signal tells other vessels to keep clear because the ship is not able to manoeuvre as easily as it would when moving forward.
The Meaning Of Berth
When a ship is approaching a berth, it will sound a long, prolonged blast. This signal is meant to warn other vessels that the ship is about to dock and may require extra room to manoeuvre.
Vessel Aground
If a ship runs aground, it will sound three short blasts followed by one long blast. This signal is meant to alert other vessels of the danger and to request assistance if necessary.
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Safer navigation is extremely important here at Solarglide Limited. Solarglide anti-glare screens and films ensure crew are safe when manoeuvring vessels in and out of port. Solarglide solar screens are designed to specifically aid wheelhouse crew in conditions of brights sunshine and prolonged glare. These products work in tandem with ship horn signals to ensure that a high level of precaution is always in place during transit, making sure costly and dangerous collisions are prevented. Marine Solar Screens Windows UK | Solar Shades Blinds
Solarglide Limited is an international maritime blinds manufacturer providing manual and motorised blinds and window shading solutions for yachts and super yachts. Yacht builders, charterers and yacht owners select Solarglide, providing high quality products and solutions, great customer service and reliable on time deliveries. Find out more at –
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The image if the ship horns used on the thumbnail of this post is credited to <a href=”https://www.vecteezy.com/free-photos/ship”>Ship Stock photos by Vecteezy</a>
