Dalesman Posted April 17, 2016 Report Share Posted April 17, 2016 No its not hard, I use a card with the sound symbols on it to remind me of the lesser used ones. Don't forget the majority of canal users are probably hirers with no interest in it, and as there is no penalty for not using them there is no incentive for anyone to learn them. If insurance companies refused to pay out unless the correct sound signals had been used, then it might be a different matter. Would not be hard for the hire companies to have a sticker on the back deck with them on,so the hirer perhaps might understand what is going on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodsy Posted April 17, 2016 Report Share Posted April 17, 2016 Would not be hard for the hire companies to have a sticker on the back deck with them on,so the hirer perhaps might understand what is going on. Wot like the one in Alan's post#69 above? If trying to determine another boaters manoeuvreing intentions is a problem, then maybe all boats should have one (sound signal chart) posted readily viewable from the helm position, because lets face it 'hand signals' can be open to misinterpretation, and possibly of no use in reduced visibility. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLWP Posted April 17, 2016 Report Share Posted April 17, 2016 To be honest, if I want to pass a slow moving boat I usually invent a horn signal then smile and wave. Richard 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MtB Posted April 17, 2016 Report Share Posted April 17, 2016 Whenever I take the trouble to stop and wave a following boat past, I usually encounter them almost immediately just around the next bend, mooring up for a cuppa... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horace42 Posted April 17, 2016 Report Share Posted April 17, 2016 Why don't we all learn the Morse Code - then we can use our horns to chat away to our heart's content - and how about a few headlight signals thrown in for good measure. Who said semaphore flags? I am more than happy with unambiguous horn signals if they were mandatory and it makes sense for large commercial shipping where they are going too fast to avoid collision if signals are not given or mistaken - but not so on canals where we should be going slow enough at all times to manoeuvre safely - and what a noisy place the canals would become if horns were the norm. No thanks. An approved code of simple easy-to-learn hand signals (or even fit flashing indicators) would suffice for the canals and rivers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gyptian Posted April 17, 2016 Report Share Posted April 17, 2016 What's a greenie ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athy Posted April 17, 2016 Report Share Posted April 17, 2016 let's face it 'hand signals' can be open to misinterpretation, and possibly of no use in reduced visibility. Aye, bluddy useless at night too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murflynn Posted April 17, 2016 Report Share Posted April 17, 2016 (edited) What's a greenie ? an environmentally friendly boater who relies on man hauling to make progress. Edited April 17, 2016 by Murflynn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodsy Posted April 17, 2016 Report Share Posted April 17, 2016 (edited) Why don't we all learn the Morse Code - then we can use our horns to chat away to our heart's content - and how about a few headlight signals thrown in for good measure. Who said semaphore flags? I am more than happy with unambiguous horn signals if they were mandatory and it makes sense for large commercial shipping where they are going too fast to avoid collision if signals are not given or mistaken - but not so on canals where we should be going slow enough at all times to manoeuvre safely - and what a noisy place the canals would become if horns were the norm. No thanks. An approved code of simple easy-to-learn hand signals (or even fit flashing indicators) would suffice for the canals and rivers. I have just reviewed the 'Boaters Handbook'to refresh my memory, there are plenty of references to sound signals (basic ones are listed on page 53), however there is no mention of hand signals☺ ETA The same sequence of long & short blast sound signals can be used as light flashes during periods of darkness by a suitable torch or light Edited April 17, 2016 by Woodsy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
system 4-50 Posted April 17, 2016 Report Share Posted April 17, 2016 What's a greenie ? Eyes right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain_S Posted April 17, 2016 Report Share Posted April 17, 2016 (snip)The same sequence of long & short blast sound signals can be used as light flashes during periods of darkness by a suitable torch or light There is a fair bit of overlap beween horn signals, morse, and signal flags. Long short, short on the horn (maneuvering with difficulty) is D in morse, and has the same meaning as the "D" letter flag. Similarly for E (turning to starboard, I (turning to port) and S (engine(s) going astern) Not sure about ME, MI, HE or HI, though ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanderer Vagabond Posted April 17, 2016 Report Share Posted April 17, 2016 Having come to the canals from a sailing background it does seem bizarre to me that people are expecting first time hirers to have the foggiest notion of what sound signals mean. You'll find that a lot of lumpy water sailors don't know either, and they are more likely to come across them. Most lumpy water sailors will possibly know one short blast for turning to starboard, two for turning to port three meaning I'm going backwards and five to mean 'what the hell are you doing' but beyond that they generally haven't a clue. There is no sound signal asking for a repeat signal to be sent so if you aren't looking at the card you may have on display when the signal is made you are then left wondering 'was it four short blasts, then another short blast or was it five short blasts together?', keep things simple, and as someone else has said it is not as though we are travelling so fast that we need to know immediately what the other helm is doing, if in doubt just stop (or you could just plough on since it is a contact sport, isn't it ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bizzard Posted April 17, 2016 Report Share Posted April 17, 2016 I don't think most people could give two hoots. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Ambrose Posted April 17, 2016 Report Share Posted April 17, 2016 Bit of a narrow view being taken regarding not needing sound signals, once you get away from canals and onto rivers you may well come across some seriously big traffic and it's nice to know what they intend to do and nice to be able to respond. I think it was last year we met a pusher tug with s couple of barges/flats that he was pushing up the Great Ouse, I was able to respond to his sound signal and wad rewarded with a cheery thumbs up ad we passed. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murflynn Posted April 17, 2016 Report Share Posted April 17, 2016 I don't think most people could give two hoots. I couldn't. I find that one long one is enough. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horace42 Posted April 17, 2016 Report Share Posted April 17, 2016 I don't think most people could give two hoots. Don't you mean 3 hoots ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchcrawler Posted April 17, 2016 Report Share Posted April 17, 2016 I just tie a hanky on the shrouds to protest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dalesman Posted April 17, 2016 Report Share Posted April 17, 2016 Why don't we all learn the Morse Code - then we can use our horns to chat away to our heart's content - and how about a few headlight signals thrown in for good measure. Who said semaphore flags? I am more than happy with unambiguous horn signals if they were mandatory and it makes sense for large commercial shipping where they are going too fast to avoid collision if signals are not given or mistaken - but not so on canals where we should be going slow enough at all times to manoeuvre safely - and what a noisy place the canals would become if horns were the norm. No thanks. An approved code of simple easy-to-learn hand signals (or even fit flashing indicators) would suffice for the canals and rivers. I thought the 4 sound signals were easy to learn....must get the MCA to approve hand signals for the trip boats as well..!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machpoint005 Posted April 18, 2016 Report Share Posted April 18, 2016 My favourite was the oncoming boat with a woman in the cratch area (out of sight of the helm) waving her right hand to me and the helm himself waving his left . My response was along the lines of "I think I'll wait here for him to come past, whichever side he is going to come past on ". Speaking to them as they passed it seems the woman was indicating that I should pass on the side she was waving to and the helm was indicating what side he was going to pass on, no real confusion there then The only signal that matters is the one the helmsman is giving. Ignore "helpful" crew on the front deck. (and you were right about the mirror thing the other day!). To be honest, if I want to pass a slow moving boat I usually invent a horn signal then smile and wave. Richard Fairy nuff, but what if there is a lock in the next mile or so? Will you be through it before the overtaken boat gets there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLWP Posted April 18, 2016 Report Share Posted April 18, 2016 Fairy nuff, but what if there is a lock in the next mile or so? Will you be through it before the overtaken boat gets there? Usually, yes. I'm generally only interested in overtaking boats where I'm struggling to go slow enough and have to go in and out of gear. Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchcrawler Posted April 18, 2016 Report Share Posted April 18, 2016 We passed one yesterday, no signals at all he just held hard to the right, today we are following one.Well Diana is, I'm sending this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Ambrose Posted April 18, 2016 Report Share Posted April 18, 2016 (edited) We passed one yesterday, no signals at all he just held hard to the right, today we are following one.Well Diana is, I'm sending this.Sorry Brian, must have missed something (it's my age) but er uhm passed what?Phil Edited April 18, 2016 by Phil Ambrose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchcrawler Posted April 18, 2016 Report Share Posted April 18, 2016 Sorry Brian, must have missed something (it's my age) but er uhm passed what? Phil A slow boat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Ambrose Posted April 18, 2016 Report Share Posted April 18, 2016 Oh, OK, got it now (DOH) Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Featured Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now