America’s Boating Course
3rd Edition
Lights and Sound Signals
Chapter 2
Section 6
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
1
>>
Purpose of Lights
Identify type & size
vessel
Indicate direction of
travel
Determine stand-on or
give-way
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
2
>>
Type of Lights
Masthead
Stern
Sidelights
Combo sidelights
All-around
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
3
>>
Light Requirements
Powerboats
• Sidelights
• Masthead light
• Stern light
Sailboats
•
•
•
•
Sidelights
Stern lights
Masthead lights: R&G
Tri-color masthead
light
Sailboats and paddled boats
less than 23 feet must display a
white light
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
4
>>
Fishing Lights
Fishing
Trawling
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
5
>>
Other Lights
At anchor
......
Law enforcement
In distress
..
......
White light
Blue light
Flash or strobe
white
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
6
>>
Group Activity
Guess the Boats
What type of boats?
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
7
>>
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
8
>>
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
9
>>
Day Shapes
Inland Rules
Special situations
Always black
Sailboat under power with
sails raised (39.4 feet or
longer)
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
10
>>
Sound Signals
Short blast
1 second
Long (prolonged) blast
4-6 seconds
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
11
>>
Maneuvering and Warning Signals
MEANING
I intend to pass
you on my PORT side.
No. OF BLASTS
1 Short
I intend to pass
you on my STARBOARD side.
2 Short
I am operating ASTERN propulsion
my engine is in reverse.
3 Short
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
13
>>
Maneuvering and Warning Signals
Cont.
MEANING
I am DEPARTING from a dock,
pier, or mooring.
No. OF BLASTS
1 Prolonged
I am APPROACHING a channel,
bend, or intervening obstruction.
There is DANGER in what you
intend to do.
5 or more
short blasts
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
14
>>
Power Boats Meeting
Inland Signals
LOUD signals
to follow
Go ahead…
Click required
Both Boats Give Way
I plan to pass
on my port …
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
WAIT
Animated
18
>>
Overtaking Signals
I intend to overtake you on your
STARBOARD side (my port).
1 short blast
I intend to overtake you on your
PORT side (my starboard).
2 short blasts
The other vessel should echo your signal to agree.
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
19
>>
1 or 2 Blasts ?
How do you remember 1 or 2 blasts and
which side ?
Tip – always reference to “yourself”
• 1 blast – my port (1 syllable)
• 2 blasts – my starboard (2 syllables)
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
20
>>
Power Boat Overtaking
Inland Signals
Stand-on vessel
Go ahead…
LOUD signals
to follow
Click required
Give-way vessel
WAIT
I plan to pass…
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
Animated
21
>>
Restricted Visibility
Prolonged blasts every two minutes
• Making way: one blast
• Not making way: two blasts
At anchor – sound or bell every minute
Use radio to negotiate movements with
another vessel
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
22
>>
Restricted Visibility
Sounds at Anchor:
• Less than 39.4’ … every 2 minutes
• 39.4’ to less than 328.1’ … 5 seconds / every
min.
Sounds Underway - Power:
• Making way – 1 prolonged every 2 minutes
• Underway, stopped – 2 prolonged every 2 min.
Sounds Underway – Sailing, Restricted in
Ability to Maneuver, Not Under Command:
• 1 prolonged followed by 2 short blasts every 2
minutes
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
23 LAST
End Section 6
Boating is fun… we’ll show you how
24
END