Restricted visibility question

ZZ13

ZZ13

Well-Known Member
Nov 25, 2009
5,325
Lady's Island, SC
Boat Info
2001 400 Sedan Bridge
Engines
Cummins 450 Diamond
So how many of you actually do the short blast every two minutes when at night or in fog or in heavy rain? I thought of this when I was in our light parade. It was at night and none of us did the signal. Even when we scattered to return to our original locations. And I have an OUPV and I still didn't do it. Didn't do it in a heavy rainstorm a while ago either.
 
I wasn't aware that signaling was appropriate for night running. I've never heard a commercial vessel do that. I rarely get caught in fog, but do signal if other boats are in the area.
 
Always in fog, heavy rain, or low visibility.
 
Always do it here. We are a commercial port with Shipping lanes. You would be a fool if you didn’t.

Now, I will admit with good radar skills and AIS we typically are already talking to the other vessel as we approach or at minimum are passing in the ship channel well within our range and holding a steady course.
 
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Use the auto horn when running in fog. This is especially important when entering ports with narrow channels such as Charlevoix, Mi. In dense fog, I do a security call plus the horn with radar set to 1/8 of a NM and harbor setting before running the inlet.
 
Heavy fog, yes. Heavy rain with decent visibility, no. Night, never have.
Left Cape May last spring for NY and half way up it got really soupy. Used the horn and moved to the 3 mile line. Every 5 minutes or so I would securite call the vessel name, direction of travel at what speed, approximate position by land mark not coordinates (like 3 miles off Barnegat inlet, or whatever. I always assume little fishing boats don't have AIS and may not have a chart plotter running.) on the 3 mile line. Any conflicting or concerned traffic can respond on ch-16
 
dtfeld said:
I try not to boat in those conditions.
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Here on Long Island Fog can roll in in minutes, And does! For instance this past July 4th was a beautiful clear sunny day we were at a Yearly club raft up to watch the fire works show that night. We broke up to head back 10:20 pm piece of cake I make this run all the time. 45 min. it's mostly a 5 mph area half way back it rolled in. Now fog is one thing , But fog at night ! that's a whole other ball game and you better be on your game. Be safe!
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Almost all the new VHF radios have a hailer with built in fog horn.
 
Never boated in heavy fog or heavy storms but at night no horn here. We have alot of commercial traffic on the Ohio River and I have never heard them sound their horn at night either. They do shine their spotlight every once in awhile. First time I saw it we were heading back in late at night cruising slow. Kept looking all around and suddenly saw a super bright light behind me. Scared the crap out of me. Here it was about 1/4 mile back but he was scanning the horizon with it. Mentioned it at the marina and they said they do that all the time.
 
boatman37 said:
Never boated in heavy fog or heavy storms but at night no horn here. We have alot of commercial traffic on the Ohio River and I have never heard them sound their horn at night either. They do shine their spotlight every once in awhile. First time I saw it we were heading back in late at night cruising slow. Kept looking all around and suddenly saw a super bright light behind me. Scared the crap out of me. Here it was about 1/4 mile back but he was scanning the horizon with it. Mentioned it at the marina and they said they do that all the time.
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My bet is that he saw you on his radar and or your nav. lights and wanted to make sure you knew he was behind you. Did you have your VHF on?
 
Leaving Frankfort Harbor last Spring on a foggy day with auto horn going. Target is off the entrance. Never did have a visual on it but it maintained its course and we enjoyed good separation. The next 50 miles were pea soup.
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When I first got my 420DA I tried the auto fog horn. From the inside with canvas up it didn't sound very loud at all, but when I listened to it from shore it was a lot different. I do use it in heavy fog, sure makes things easy and then you can concentrate on everything else.

When running in fog, from time to time, someone will actually unzip the canvas if need be and stick their head outside the boat to listen. I don't think I'd hear any ones sound signals otherwise until I was right on them...or they were right on me.

The actual ships bell is like peeing in the ocean, but it's cool and I keep it polished and shiny.:)
 
A few years ago in the apostle islands we got caught in heavy fog. We couldn’t see much beyond our bow. I didn’t sound my horn as I didn’t know any better. I didn’t hear any other horns either even though boats were around. We would have been dead in the water without our chart plotter and compass.
 
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