Pardon My Ignorance

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JAS's picture
JAS
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Pardon My Ignorance

But why does my boat survey say "Ships bell not sighted sighted, ensure bell is onboard". What is a ships bell used for on a c36, and is it really necessary if you have other equipement that will make a loud noise?

All the best--Joel S.

Joel Schwartz
s/v Get-A-Grip
1993 Catalina 36 Hull #1259
Newport Beach, California

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gforaker
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A ship's bell is only required on boats 39.4 ft or longer.

Gene Foraker
Sandusky Yacht Club
Sandusky, OH
1999  C36  #1786
Gypsy Wagon

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JAS
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Thanks. I'm surprised they are needed at all anymore. I guess they figure that the ships bell is the one noisemaker that will work no matter what.

Joel Schwartz
s/v Get-A-Grip
1993 Catalina 36 Hull #1259
Newport Beach, California

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Steve Frost
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Joel,

No need to ask forgiveness for ignorance, we prefer that here to arrogance.

Steve

Cepheus dream
C36 MK I # 825
MK I Tech Editor No Mas

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JAS
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Trust me, Steve, there's a heck of a lot more where that came from ;oP

Joel Schwartz
s/v Get-A-Grip
1993 Catalina 36 Hull #1259
Newport Beach, California

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deising
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People wonder whether I am ignorant or apathetic, but I don't know and just don't care. ;)

Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/

pierview
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A bell is used for anchoring (and aground) signals. You'd have more use for a whistle (horn). Get a copy of the Rules of the Road from WM and you'll see where each is used.

Chuck Parker
HelenRita 2072 Mk II
2002 Tall Rig - Winged Keel
Atlantic Highlands, NJ

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deising
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From the COLREGS, the most restrictive rule is the INLAND rule, but that still means a bell is required only on vessels 12 meters and longer. our boats are short of that by a few feet.

INTERNATIONAL RULE 33
Equipment for Sound Signals

(a) A vessel of 12 meters or more in length shall be provided with a whistle, a vessel of 20 meters or more in length shall be provided with a bell in addition to a whistle, and a vessel of 100 meters or more in length shall, in addition, be provided with a gong, the tone and sound of which cannot be confused with that of the bell. The whistle, bell and gong shall comply with the specifications in Annex lIl to these Regulations. The bell or gong or both may be replaced by other equipment having the same respective sound characteristics, provided that manual sounding of the prescribed signals shall always be possible.
(b) A vessel of less than 12 meters in length shall not be obliged to carry the sound signaling appliances prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule but if she does not, she shall be provided with some other means of making an efficient sound signal.

INLAND RULE 33
Equipment for Sound Signals

(a) A vessel of 12 meters or more in length shall be provided with a whistle and a bell and a vessel of 100 meters or more in length shall, in addition, be provided with a gong, the tone and sound of which cannot be confused with that of the bell. The whistle, bell and gong shall comply with the specifications in Annex lII to these Rules. The bell or gong or both may be replaced by other equipment having the same respective sound characteristics, provided that manual sounding of the prescribed signals shall always be possible.
(b) A vessel of less than 12 meters in length shall not be obliged to carry the sound signaling appliances prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule but if she does not, she shall be provided with some other means of making an efficient sound signal.

Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/

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JAS
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Also, this seems to apply to our c36's. Are we really supposed to do this every two minutes??? If so, how is this to be done? Surely, they don't expect us to stay up all night ringing bells, or blowing horns??? I have been on all kinds of boat at anchor, and I have never once heard any captain sounding off every two minutes.

"(i) A vessel of less than 12 meters in length shall not be obliged to give the above mentioned signals but, if she does not, shall make some other efficient sound signal at intervals of not more than 2 minutes."

Joel Schwartz
s/v Get-A-Grip
1993 Catalina 36 Hull #1259
Newport Beach, California

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JAS
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Oh I get it now. I went to the top of the section and it is titled

"Rule 35: Sound Signals in Restricted Visibility"

That explains it. Still, I have been at anchor on a number of boats, including in limited visibility, and I have never once witnessed a captain take any more of a precaution than an anchor light. And I'm curious to find out if anyone knows of a device that will make said sounds at various intervals automatically.

Joel Schwartz
s/v Get-A-Grip
1993 Catalina 36 Hull #1259
Newport Beach, California

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Steve Frost
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Joel,

Many of the newer VHF radios have this feature, the sound signals can be transmitted through a load hailer speaker on deck if you have one.
I must admit I have never used the feature.

Cepheus dream
C36 MK I # 825
MK I Tech Editor No Mas

pierview
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Posts: 582

The rules say if your less than 20 meters (roughly 66' AND in a "designated achorage as designated by the Secretary" you don't need sound signals or lights. As I recall, the Secretary in question is the Secretary of Transportation but I don't have my COLREGS handy to look it up.

If not in a designated anchorage, vessel captains may not be in compliance with the regs, but if someone runs into them............. that's what lawyers are for.

Chuck Parker
HelenRita 2072 Mk II
2002 Tall Rig - Winged Keel
Atlantic Highlands, NJ

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