
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 2, 2001]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 2, 2001 and January 28, 2002]
[CITE: 33USC2034]

 
                TITLE 33--NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS
 
                  CHAPTER 34--INLAND NAVIGATIONAL RULES
 
                           SUBCHAPTER I--RULES
 
                     Part D--Sound and Light Signals
 
Sec. 2034. Maneuvering and warning signals (Rule 34)


(a) Whistle signals

    When power-driven vessels are in sight of one another and meeting or 
crossing at a distance within half a mile of each other, each vessel 
underway, when maneuvering as authorized or required by these Rules:
        (i) shall indicate that maneuver by the following signals on her 
    whistle: one short blast to mean ``I intend to leave you on my port 
    side''; two short blasts to mean ``I intend to leave you on my 
    starboard side''; and three short blasts to mean ``I am operating 
    astern propulsion''.
        (ii) upon hearing the one or two blast signal of the other 
    shall, if in agreement, sound the same whistle signal and take the 
    steps necessary to effect a safe passing. If, however, from any 
    cause, the vessel doubts the safety of the proposed maneuver, she 
    shall sound the danger signal specified in paragraph (d) of this 
    Rule and each vessel shall take appropriate precautionary action 
    until a safe passing agreement is made.

(b) Light signals

    A vessel may supplement the whistle signals prescribed in paragraph 
(a) of this Rule by light signals:
        (i) These signals shall have the following significance: one 
    flash to mean ``I intend to leave you on my port side''; two flashes 
    to mean ``I intend to leave you on my starboard side''; three 
    flashes to mean ``I am operating astern propulsion'';
        (ii) The duration of each flash shall be about 1 second; and
        (iii) The light used for this signal shall, if fitted, be one 
    all-round white or yellow light, visible at a minimum range of 2 
    miles, synchronized with the whistle, and shall comply with the 
    provisions of Annex I to these Rules.

(c) Overtaking situations

    When in sight of one another:
        (i) a power-driven vessel intending to overtake another power-
    driven vessel shall indicate her intention by the following signals 
    on her whistle: one short blast to mean ``I intend to overtake you 
    on your starboard side''; two short blasts to mean ``I intend to 
    overtake you on your port side''; and
        (ii) the power-driven vessel about to be overtaken shall, if in 
    agreement, sound a similar sound signal. If in doubt she shall sound 
    the danger signal prescribed in paragraph (d).

(d) Doubts or failure to understand signals

    When vessels in sight of one another are approaching each other and 
from any cause either vessel fails to understand the intentions or 
actions of the other, or is in doubt whether sufficient action is being 
taken by the other to avoid collision, the vessel in doubt shall 
immediately indicate such doubt by giving at least five short and rapid 
blasts on the whistle. This signal may be supplemented by a light signal 
of at least five short and rapid flashes.

(e) Vessels in areas of obscured visibility due to intervening 
        obstructions

    A vessel nearing a bend or an area of a channel or fairway where 
other vessels may be obscured by an intervening obstruction shall sound 
one prolonged blast. This signal shall be answered with a prolonged 
blast by any approaching vessel that may be within hearing around the 
bend or behind the intervening obstruction.

(f) Use of one whistle only on a vessel

    If whistles are fitted on a vessel at a distance apart of more than 
100 meters, one whistle only shall be used for giving maneuvering and 
warning signals.

(g) Power-driven vessels leaving dock or berth

    When a power-driven vessel is leaving a dock or berth, she shall 
sound one prolonged blast.

(h) Agreement between vessels using radiotelephone

    A vessel that reaches agreement with another vessel in a head-on, 
crossing, or overtaking situation, as for example, by using the 
radiotelephone as prescribed by the Vessel Bridge-to-Bridge 
Radiotelephone Act (85 Stat. 164; 33 U.S.C. 1201 et seq.), is not 
obliged to sound the whistle signals prescribed by this rule,\1\ but may 
do so. If agreement is not reached, then whistle signals shall be 
exchanged in a timely manner and shall prevail.
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    \1\ So in original. Probably should be capitalized.
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(Pub. L. 96-591, Sec. 2, Dec. 24, 1980, 94 Stat. 3430; Pub. L. 104-324, 
title VII, Sec. 701(6), Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3933.)

                       References in Text

    These Rules, referred to in par. (a), are the Inland Navigational 
Rules which are classified to this subchapter.
    Annex I to these Rules, referred to in par. (b)(iii), is to be 
established by the Secretary under section 2071 of this title.
    The Vessel Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone Act, referred to in par. 
(h), is Pub. L. 92-63, Aug. 4, 1971, 85 Stat. 164, as amended, which is 
classified generally to chapter 24 (Sec. 1201 et seq.) of this title. 
For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title 
note set out under section 1201 of this title and Tables.

                          Codification

    Section was enacted as part of section 2 of Pub. L. 96-591 which 
enacted the Inland Navigational Rules which comprise this subchapter.


                               Amendments

    1996--Par. (h). Pub. L. 104-324 amended par. (h) generally. Prior to 
amendment, par. (h) read as follows: ``A vessel that reaches agreement 
with another vessel in a meeting, crossing, or overtaking situation by 
using the radiotelephone as prescribed by the Bridge-to-Bridge 
Radiotelephone Act (85 Stat. 165; 33 U.S.C. 1207), is not obliged to 
sound the whistle signals prescribed by this Rule, but may do so. If 
agreement is not reached, then whistle signals shall be exchanged in a 
timely manner and shall prevail.''

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in sections 2009, 2014 of this title.
