Chrysler Sailors Forum

Safety Tip
Anchoring. Everyone has read and knows the rules. 5-1 or 7-1 rode to depth ratio. We can argue for months over what anchor is best for what condition and never come to a consensus. However when you enter a nice quiet anchorage, look around at all the boats. What type of rode are they using? Any Stern ties? Why do you care?? The reason is swinging room! Did you know a boat at anchor on an all chain rode will swing much less than one with chain and line and also one with an all line rode?
If you are using an all line rode, you will need a light more swinging room than the guy on the chain! Yep, I've seen it many a time where similar boats with different rodes anchor in close proximity. Ineveitably one must move.


Question for today
You are in your marina tied perfectly to a dock relaxing sipping wine and eating cheese. You hear 3 short blasts of another vessels horn.
What for inland water rules, does this mean?



Captain Scott

do we reply here or in PM?

Here is fine!
Scott

Large ship coming to a stop?

On our little lake horn signals are hardly ever used. And it since is a few miles from a nuclear power plant, the redhead just said if you hear horn blasts it means drink the wine quick, River Bend is in meltdown and you are about to glow in the dark....

Naval cannon fire

The custom of firing cannon salutes originated in the Royal Navy. When a cannon was fired, it partially disarmed the ship, so needlessly firing a cannon showed respect and trust. As a matter of courtesy a warship would fire her guns harmlessly out to sea, to show that she had no hostile intent. At first, ships were required to fire seven guns, and forts, with their more numerous guns and a larger supply of gunpowder, to fire 21 times. Later, as the quality of gunpowder improved, the British increased the number of shots required from ships to match the forts.

The system of odd numbered rounds is said to have been originated by Samuel Pepys, Secretary to the Navy in the Restoration, as a way of economising on the use of powder, the rule until that time having been that all guns had to be fired. Odd numbers were chosen, as even numbers indicated a death.

As naval customs evolved the 21-gun salute came to be reserved for heads of state, with fewer rounds used to salute lower ranking officials. Today officers with 5 stars receive 19 rounds; 4 stars receive 17 rounds; 3 stars receive 15; 2 stars receive 13; and a 1-star general or admiral receives 11. These same standards are currently adhered to by ground-based saluting batteries.

Multiples of 21-gun salutes may be fired for particularly important celebrations.

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I know that this is the wrong answer, but was having a little fun with another valid reply. What would rate a 3-gun salute, a dingy?

Watch out Daddy, she's backing up!!

Andiron120 wrote:Watch out Daddy, she's backing up!!

You got it!! 3 short blasts of a vessels horn indicate said vessel switching to stern propulsion!

Nice job!


However, as guessed by Alan above, cruisers will use three longer blasts of a horn to indicate trouble. Should you ever be anchored at night and hear three blasts of a horn you should at least take a look. Maybe a boat came off its mooring or is dragging its anchor. This use of the horn however is not maritime law. This answer would be incorrect on a test!!

Scott

So I can put the mustard away then? LOL

Alan

Alanhod wrote:So I can put the mustard away then? LOL

Alan

Nope!
It goes good on roast beef sandwiches!


Scott