rule 34 - manoeuvring

7/24/2019 Rule 34 - Manoeuvring

1/28

Rule 34 - Manoeuvring and warning signals(a) When vessels are in sight of one another, a power-driven vessel underway,

when manoeuvring as authorized or required by these Rules, shall indicate

that manoeuvre by the following signals on her whistle:

one short blast to mean "I am altering my course to starboard";

two short blasts to mean "I am altering my course to port";

three short blasts to mean "I am operating astern propulsion".

(b) Any vessel may supplement the whistle signals prescribed in paragraph (a)

of this Rule by light signals, repeated as appropriate, whilst the manoeuvreis being carried out:

(i) these light signals shall have the following significance:

one flash to mean "I am altering my course to starboard"

two flashes to mean "I am altering my course to port".

three flashes to mean "I am operating astern propulsion".

(ii) the duration of each flash shall be about one second, the interval between

flashes shall be about one second, and the interval between successivesignals shall be not less than ten seconds;

(iii) the light used for this signal shall, if fitted, be an all-round white light, visible

at a minimum range of 5 miles, and shall comply with the provisions ofAnnex I to these Regulations. 1


2/28

Rule 34 - Manoeuvring and warning signals

(c) When in sight of one another in a narrow channel or fairway.

(i) a vessel intending to overtake another shall in compliance with Rule 9(e) (i)

indicate her intention by the following signals on her whistle:

two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast to mean "I intend to

overtake you on your starboard side".

two prolonged blasts followed by two short blasts to mean "I intend to

overtake you on your port side".

(ii) the vessel about to be overtaken when acting in accordance with Rule 9(e)(i) shall indicate her agreement by the following signal on her whistle:

one prolonged, one short, one prolonged and one short blast, in that order.

(d) When vessels in sight of one another are approaching each other and from

any cause either vessel fails to understand the intentions or actions of the

other, or is in doubt whether sufficient action is being taken by the other toavoid collision, the vessel in doubt shall immediately indicate such doubt bygiving at least five short and rapid blasts on the whistle. Such signal may be

supplemented by a light signal of at least five short and rapid flashes.

2


3/28


(e) A vessel nearing a bend or an area of a channel or fairway where othervessels may be obscured by an intervening obstruction shall sound one

prolonged blast. Such signal shall be answered with a prolonged blast byany approaching vessel that may be within hearing around the bend or

behind the intervening obstruction.

(f) if whistles are fitted on a vessel at a distance apart of more than 100

metres, one whistle only shall be used for giving manoeuvring and warningsignals.

3


4/28


Vessels in sight of one another

Rule 34 applies to vessels in visual sight of one another

Rule 34 DOES NOT apply to:

!Vessels NOT in sight of one another (except vesselsnearing a bend)

! Single vessels! Vessels in or near an area of restricted visibility

A clear distinction should be made between:

! Manoeuvringsignals and

! Warning signals

4


5/28


I am altering course to starboard

I am altering course to port

I am operating astern propulsion

Signals to indicate a course alteration or astern propulsion Rule 34 (a), (b)

5


6/28



6


7/28



7


8/28



8


9/28



Important Remarks

! Signals indicating course alterations may only be given by power-

driven vessels; THUS NOT BY SAILING VESSELS

!They are sounded to indicate to another vessel in visual sight:

! That a manoeuvre is being carried out by a helm action or astern

propulsion

! They are not meant as a request to another vessel to take a helm

action or to apply astern propulsion! The signals may only be given when the vessel is actually moving to

starboard or port or when the vessels propeller(s) are reversed

! The three short blasts give no indication as to the speed of the

vessel

9


10/28

Rule 34 - Manoeuvring and warning signalsSignals to indicate a course alteration or astern propulsion Rule 34 (a), (b)

Light Signals

! The signals to indicate course or propulsion alterations must be

given on the whistle and MAY BE SUPPLEMENTEDBY LIGHT

SIGNALS

!Each signal is composed of one, two or three flashes

! They may be repeated during the whole manoeuvre without having

to repeat the corresponding whistle signal

! An interval of not less than 10 seconds is required between each

complete light signal

! The light signals are supplementary and NOT a substitute for the

whistle signals

! The light shall be white and visible all round the horizon at a

distance of at least 5 miles (see Annex I for more details)

10


11/28



11


12/28



12


13/28



13


14/28


I intend to overtake

you on your starboard

side

I intend to overtakeyou on your port side

Overtaking signals Rule 34 (c)

14


15/28


You may overtake me

I doubt whether it issafe to overtake me


15


16/28



! Overtaking signals shall be sounded in accordance with Rule 9 (e) (i)

! Overtaking signals may only be given in a narrow channel or fairway

when the vessel being overtaken has to take action to allow safe

overtaking

! Overtaking signals should not be given:

! when overtaking can take place safely

! when the vessel to be overtaken need not take avoiding action

!

on the open seas

! There are no supplementary light signals for the overtaking whistle

signals

General

16


17/28



Overtaking vessel wants to pass other vessel on her starboard side.Overtaken vessel agrees and alters course to port to create sufficient

passing room. She should also give to short blasts

17


18/28



Here, overtaking vessel wants to pass on the port side of the othervessel. She agrees and alters course to starboard to allow for

sufficient passing distance. She should also give a short blast

18


19/28



Same situation as in previous slide. Overtaken vessel sees anoncoming vessel and gives at least 5 short blasts to say that it

is not safe to overtake

19


20/28



Overtaking vessel gives no whistle signal as overtaken vessel must

not take action to allow safe passing

20


21/28



Important remarks

! The Colregs do not say how another vessel should be overtaken

! Usually local regulations give sufficient information concerning

overtaking procedures

! In most narrow channels and/or fairways the pilot is properly

familiarized with overtaking manoeuvres

!Vessels should make proper use of their VHF to agree on a properovertaking procedure

! Always keep the dangers of interaction in mind when overtaking

another vessel. Most collisions during an overtaking action are to

blame on an excessive speed 21


22/28


I do not understand your

intentions OR

I doubt you are taking sufficientaction to avoid collision

I am nearing a bend or an areaof a channel or fairway wherethe view may be obscured

Warning signals Rule 34 (d) (e)

22


23/28



23


24/28



24


25/28



Important remarks

! The warning signal i.e. at least five short and rapid blasts may be

supplemented by a light signal of at least five short and rapid

flashes

!The supplementary light signal may not be used instead of thewhistle signal

! The warning signal must comprise at least five blasts. It may thus

comprise six, seven, etc. blasts but not less than five blasts

!The light (warning) signal may be given by means of the Aldis lampor a search light

! The warning signal composed of a prolonged blast for vessels

nearing a bend shall be sounded in compliance with Rule 9 (f)

! When more than one whistle are fitted which are more than 100

metres apart only one whistle may be used 25


26/28



Aldis lampSearch and signalling lamp 26


27/28



27


28/28


Sailing vessels Rule 34

!Sailing vessels are not allowed to give the sound or light signals toindicate course alterations

! All sailing vessels are permitted to give the overtaking signals and

are required to give the warning signals

28

rule 34 - manoeuvring

Documents