5 short blasts on the boat's horn

[baz]

Subject: 5 short blasts on the boat's horn

I've just returned from a 2 week voyage up to and return from Kodiak Island, AK using the Alaska Marine Highway ferry boat M/V Kennicott. When this boat docked on several occasions I noted the bridge blew its horn 5 times in quick succession. When enquiring about this I was told it was a means to indicate the Captain was upset (possibly a joke I thought, but...)... or more precisely a means to inform another boat close by that their intentions were not known.

Have you ever used this as a means to indicate you're upset with another boat's intentions ? :? :roll:

 

[mjq1987]

5 short blasts is the danger signal. It's used when one vessel is putting another in extremis or when one vessel is violating the rules of the road causing a potentially dangerous situation or is causing the stand-on vessel to maneuver when it either can't or shouldn't. If the ferry was using the danger signal as it was approaching the pier, there may have been small craft or other vessels blocking its desired path or approach. I've never used it on a pleasure boat, but I've used it on submarines several times. Many small boat operators don't have a good understanding of how unmaneuverable large vessels are over short distances or at slower speeds...they also often underestimate how fast large vessels are going at longer ranges so they take chances with passing ranges thinking they have plenty of room. This youtube video is an extreme example but it shows the danger signal in action...with unsuccessful results, however: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtZJ__8PVDU

 

[JamesTXSD]

Running commercial boats, this is a frequent occurrence - as you have closing traffic, if they appear to not be following the Rules of the Road, the 5 blasts indicate that you think a dangerous situation or erratic or non-standard maneuvering is occurring.

Look up sound signals in the Rules of the Road: they are used to determine which direction you are turning with regards to traffic (1 or 2 blasts), reversing propulsion (3 blasts), and danger (5 blasts). The other boat may not be monitoring the VHF radio - horn signals are used all the time.

 

[baz]

That boat's captain was using auto pilot and was not at the helm, asleep or in the head for sure. I'm surprised there was not more damage to the boat that did not respond to the 5 horn blasts.

In my case on the Alaska Marine Highway's M/V Kennicott ferry there was a boat in the area of the ferry boat's stern that was awfully close when we were docking and with the Captain trying to position the ferry boat to align its side cargo hold's ramp to the dock which was requiring some back and forth. It was a fishing boat and I was told that there are times when the fishing craft purposely put themselves in harms way of the Alaska ferry boats so that they sue the Ferry company for damages.

I was told that on one occasion the Alaska ferry boat had to do some serious maneuvering around some gill nets that had been purposely laid out across the ferry's typical channel course simply so that the fishermen could sue and get new nets.

In addition, I was told that if a ferry boat kicks up such a large wake that overturns a small boat the ferry system is liable and can be sued for damages.

 

[JamesTXSD]

This is not directed an anyone specific: if you are not familiar with sound signals and Rules of the Road, a safe boating course would go a long ways to making you safer on the water. The on-line "testing" that some states require for a boater's card doesn't begin to give you an understanding of the knowledge necessary to operate safely on the water. Chapman's Piloting and Seamanship is a great book to study.

I don't recall a day that went by when we were living on our boat in Friday Harbor that we didn't hear 5 blasts - often from the Washington State Ferry directed at small boats operating erratically near the ferry landing; but also from other boats. I have used it many times, generally with the offending boater not having a clue that what they were doing was dangerous or an understanding of the sound signal. Funny to see all the heads pop out of boats to see who is the recipient of the "5 blasts of shame."

At one job, our commercial boats had to back away from the slips, into a fairway - 3 horn blasts when we were ready to move. I had a first mate ask me, "Do you think any of those small boats know what that means?"

"I hope so... but, if not, the horn blasts will at least make them look."

My preference is to contact any potential traffic conflict vessel on the VHF, but that isn't always possible.

As regards to the wake: each boat (commercial or otherwise) is responsible for any damage caused by their wake. This would be covered in a safe boating course.