ROR (Sound and Light Signals )

                  ROR (Sound and Light Signals)

Definition :

Short Blast - one second duration

Prolonged Blast - four to six second duration

Isophase - duration of light and darkness equal 

Occulting - total duration of light longer than total duration of darkness

Flashing - total duration of light shorter than total duration of darkness

Vessel Type :

* Vessel greater than or equal to 12m in length provided with a whistle.

* Vessel greater than or equal to 20m in length provided with bell in addition to whistle.

* Vessel greater than or equal to 100m in length provided with a gong.

* Vessel less than 12m in length shall not be obliged to carry sound signaling appliances but if she does         not ,she shall be provided with some other means of making efficient sound signal.

* Vessel in sight of one another 

  One flash / one short blast - altering my course to STBD

  Two flash / two short blast - altering my course to PORT

  Three flash / three short blast - operating astern propulsion 

( Note - light used for this signal is all round white light ,should be visible at min range 5 miles )

* Vessel intending to overtake 

Two prolonged blast , one short blast - I intend to overtake you on your STBD 

Two prolonged blast , two short blast - I intend to overtake you on your PORT

One prolonged ,one short ,one prolonged ,one short - Vessel to be overtaken in agreement 

Five short blast - If in doubt

One prolonged blast - Vessel nearing a bend 

* Vessel at Anchor 

Less than 100m in length - rapid ringing of bell for 5 secs, not more than 1 min interval 

Greater than or equal to 100m in length - rapid ringing of bell for 5 secs in forepart, immediately after gong shall be sounded for 5 secs in aft part of vessel. in addition three blasts (short, prolong, short) to give warning of her position and possibility of collision to an approaching vessel.

* Vessel aground 

Same as anchored vessel bell and gong , in addition give three separate and distinct stokes on the bell immediately before and after ringing of bell. may in addition sound as appropriate whistle signal.

* Vessel less than 12m shall not obliged to give bell signals, she make some other sound signal of not more than 2 minutes.

* Vessel greater than 12m shall not obliged to give above mentioned signals shall make some other  efficient sound signal at intervals of not more than 2 minutes.

Sound signals in restricted visibility 

* Power driven vessel making way  - one prolonged blast 2 min interval 

* Power driven vessel not making way - Two prolonged blast 2 min interval 

* NUC, RAM , CBD , Sailing vessel , Vessel engaged in fishing , engaged in towing , pushing vessel -     One prolonged blast ,two short blast 2 min interval 

* RAM , Vessel engaged in fishing when at anchor when at anchor -   One prolonged , two short blast 2     min interval

* Towed vessel or last vessel of the tow - one prolonged, three short blast 2 min interval (after the              signal made by towing vessel)

* Pushing & vessel being pushed ahead are rigidly connected in a composite unit ,they shall be                 regarded as power driven vessel  

     When making way - one prolonged blast 2 min interval

     When not making way - Two prolonged blast 2 min interval 

* Fishing vessel 

   When shooting their nets - two white lights

   Hauling their nets  -  one white light over one red light 

   Net come fast upon obstruction - two red lights 

Fishing vessel with purse seine gear may exhibit two yellow lights , flashes every second with equal light and occulting . 

* In pair trawling 

   By night a search light directed forward and in the direction of the other vessel of the pair .

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Good luck