America’s Boating Course
3rd Edition
Lights and Sound Signals
Chapter 2
Section 6
Presented by the
St Paul Sail and Power Squadron
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1
Purpose of Lights
Identify type & size
vessel
Indicate direction of
travel
Determine stand-on or
give-way
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2
Type of Lights
Masthead
Stern
Sidelights
Combo sidelights
All-around
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Anchor
Light
3
Light Requirements
Powerboats
• Sidelights
• Masthead light
• Stern light
Sailboats
•
•
•
•
Sidelights
Stern lights
Masthead lights: R&G
Tri-color masthead
light
Sailboats and paddled boats
less than 23 feet must display a
white light
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4
Fishing Lights
GREEN
GREEN
Fishing
Trawling
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5
Other Lights
At anchor
......
Law enforcement
In distress
..
......
White light
Blue light
Flash or strobe
white
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6
Group Activity
Guess the Boats
What type of boats?
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7
Group Activity
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8
Group Activity
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9
Day Shapes Inland Rules
Special situations
Always black
Sailboat
under inpower
Vessel Engaged
Dredging
with sails raised (39.4
feet or longer)
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10
Sound Signals
TWO TYPES
Short blast
1 second
Long (prolonged) blast
4-6 seconds
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11
Maneuvering/Warning Signals
MEANING
I intend to pass you on my PORT side.
No. OF BLASTS
1 Short
I intend to pass you on my STARBOARD side. 2 Short
I am operating ASTERN propulsion (reverse).
3 Short
I am DEPARTING from a dock/pier/ mooring. 1 Prolonged
I am APPROACHING a channel bend.
1 Prolonged
There is DANGER in what you intend to do.
5 or more
short blasts
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12
Power Boats Meeting
Inland Signals
Go ahead…
Both Boats Give Way
I plan to pass
on my port …
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13
Power Boat Overtaking
Inland Signals
Stand-on vessel
Go ahead…
Give-way vessel
I plan to pass…
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14
Restricted Visibility
Sounds at Anchor:
• Less than 39.4’ … every 2 minutes
• 39.4’ to less than 328.1’ … 5 seconds / every min.
Sounds Underway - Power:
• Making way – 1 prolonged every 2 minutes
• Underway, stopped – 2 prolonged every 2 min.
Sounds Underway – Sailing, Restricted in Ability to
Maneuver, Not Under Command:
• 1 prolonged followed by 2 short blasts every 2 minutes
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15
End Section 6
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