Cruise Talk: Whistle / Foghorn Question

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»	Cruise Talk » Technically Speaking » Whistle / Foghorn Question

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Topic: Whistle / Foghorn Question

Rego007
First Class Passenger
Member # 4632

posted 08-22-2005 08:32 AM

We all know it's common for ships to salute one another, or often the port they're departing, with three blasts of the whistle (or foghorn, but that's another debate).

But what is the significance of there being three, as opposed to any other number? I figured it was a tradition of some kind, but wanted to know why. Can anyone provide any insight?

Thanks in advance,
Rego007

Posts: 106 | From: Daytona Beach, FL USA | Registered: Apr 2004 | IP: Logged

Ernst
First Class Passenger
Member # 5369

posted 08-22-2005 08:40 AM

Three long blast mean "ship is leaving the harbour".

A long blast last 4 seconds whereas a shot blast is one second long.

Beside some local or other special cases (fog, naviation with radar etc.), there are the following signal (at least how I learned them):

one long blast - attention

one short blast - I am turning to starboard
two short blast - I am turning to portside

three short blast - I am going backwards

four short blast - I can not manouver

one short and one long blast - I am turing around at starboard
one short and two long blast - I am turning around at portside

two long and one short blast - I will overtake you starboard
two long and two short blasts - I will overtake you at portside

three long blasts - I am leaving the harbour

[ 08-22-2005: Message edited by: Ernst ]

Posts: 9746 | From: Eindhoven | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged

Maasdam
First Class Passenger
Member # 3858

posted 08-22-2005 08:47 AM

I believe that whene the horn is sounded 3 times the ship is one here way. The sounding of the horn whene departing is always whene the ship start on a safe distance frome the pier and begin to sail.
Therfore it's also a sign fore tugs.
Here some blowing horns frome the Maasdam, Rembrand, Oriana whene leaving arriving at Rotterdam.

Maasdam - Click here to see Video

Oriana - Click here to see Video

Rembrand - Click here to see Video

Greetings Ben.

[ 08-22-2005: Message edited by: joe at travelpage ]

Posts: 4695 | From: Rotterdam home of the tss. Rotterdam. | Registered: May 2003 | IP: Logged

Rego007
First Class Passenger
Member # 4632

posted 08-22-2005 08:53 AM

Thank you for the quick replies. Maasdam, the links you provided will not go through and are inopperable. Could you try again? I'd love to see them!

Rego007

Posts: 106 | From: Daytona Beach, FL USA | Registered: Apr 2004 | IP: Logged

Rego007
First Class Passenger
Member # 4632

posted 08-22-2005 08:55 AM

My mistake Maasdam...the links worked when I tried again. Those are great clips! Thanks again!

Rego007

Posts: 106 | From: Daytona Beach, FL USA | Registered: Apr 2004 | IP: Logged

bulbousbow
First Class Passenger
Member # 4440

posted 08-22-2005 09:00 AM

quote:
Ernst wrote:
Three long blast mean "ship is leaving the harbour"

This can also mean: Man Overboard if it is 3 prolonged blasts and a general alarm bell.

******

Cheers

Posts: 6866 | From: Adelaide, Australia | Registered: Feb 2004 | IP: Logged

Ernst
First Class Passenger
Member # 5369

posted 08-22-2005 09:13 AM

quote:
Originally posted by bulbousbow:
This can also mean: Man Overboard if it is 3 prolonged blasts and a general alarm bell.
******
Cheers

As said, there are more signals - also depending on the region where you are navigation etc. - I just listed the most important signals for navigation.

Posts: 9746 | From: Eindhoven | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged

bulbousbow
First Class Passenger
Member # 4440

posted 08-22-2005 09:27 AM

Ernst, just pointing out that there is another 3 blast whistle...that's all.

******

Cheers

Posts: 6866 | From: Adelaide, Australia | Registered: Feb 2004 | IP: Logged

Ernst
First Class Passenger
Member # 5369

posted 08-22-2005 10:15 AM

Just pointed out what you pointed put what I am now not pointing out again.

....another signal every passenger must know is of course seven short blasts and one long blast....

Posts: 9746 | From: Eindhoven | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged

bulbousbow
First Class Passenger
Member # 4440

posted 08-22-2005 10:34 AM

quote:
Ernst wrote:
...another signal every passenger must know is of course seven short blasts and one long blast...

Don't forget the general alarm bell as well.

******

Cheers

Posts: 6866 | From: Adelaide, Australia | Registered: Feb 2004 | IP: Logged

Ernst
First Class Passenger
Member # 5369

posted 08-22-2005 10:54 AM

quote:
Originally posted by bulbousbow:
Don't forget the general alarm bell as well.
******
Cheers

I just wanted to point that out.

Posts: 9746 | From: Eindhoven | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged

Rego007
First Class Passenger
Member # 4632

posted 08-22-2005 01:40 PM

One has to love your sense of humor, Ernst. You seem to be very well-versed on ships. How do you know as much as you do? It sounds like you have lots of experience, judging by some of your detailed replies on this board.

Rego007

Posts: 106 | From: Daytona Beach, FL USA | Registered: Apr 2004 | IP: Logged

Ernst
First Class Passenger
Member # 5369

posted 08-22-2005 02:28 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Rego007:
One has to love your sense of humor, Ernst. You seem to be very well-versed on ships. How do you know as much as you do? It sounds like you have lots of experience, judging by some of your detailed replies on this board.
Rego007

It only sounds like that. Just read some books, did some cruises and attended some ship related lectures - nothing to be pointed out.

Ah, and I nearly forgot: I am allowed to command small watercrafts (up to 10 m length and 12 passengers) on landlocked waters, rivers and waterways.

[ 08-22-2005: Message edited by: Ernst ]

Posts: 9746 | From: Eindhoven | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged

lasuvidaboy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4527

posted 08-22-2005 03:37 PM

In the film The Poseidon Adventure, just before the wave hit the port side of the ship, the whistle was sounded w/alarm bells in between the blasts. Was that correct for such an emergency or just creative filmaking?

Posts: 7654 | From: Hollywood Hills/L.A. | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged

Jepp
First Class Passenger
Member # 5576

posted 08-22-2005 06:04 PM

Hepp!
In the archipelago off Stockholm two steamers that pass each other salute like this:
Ship A: one long blast
Ship B: one long blast
Ship A: one short blast
Ship B: one short blast

The youngest steamer starts - motorships keep quiet..
/Jepp

Posts: 158 | From: Stockholm, Sweden | Registered: Apr 2005 | IP: Logged

Jepp
First Class Passenger
Member # 5576

posted 12-30-2007 02:56 PM

....Just like this...

/Jepp

Posts: 158 | From: Stockholm, Sweden | Registered: Apr 2005 | IP: Logged

Cunard Fan
First Class Passenger
Member # 7530

posted 12-30-2007 04:57 PM

what about this? What does this mean?

here...

Posts: 2327 | From: Pasadena just north of Queen Mary | Registered: Sep 2006 | IP: Logged

rem-dk
First Class Passenger
Member # 5121

posted 12-30-2007 05:18 PM

Duelling horns I think.

René

Posts: 268 | From: Fredensborg Denmark | Registered: Oct 2004 | IP: Logged

jkwan12345
First Class Passenger
Member # 6304

posted 01-03-2008 12:49 AM

what about disney's "when you wish upon a star" horn?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7oV-tldNMc&feature=related

Posts: 23 | From: Piedmont, CA | Registered: Mar 2006 | IP: Logged

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