- 32. Definitions of whistle
- short blast (1 second), and prolonged blast (4–6 seconds).
- 33. Equipment
- Vessels 12 metres (39.4 ft) or more in length should carry a whistle and a bell and vessels 100 metres (328 ft) or more in length should carry in addition a gong. On many vessels, a horn serves the purpose of a whistle.
- 34. Maneuvering and warning signals, using whistle or lights
- The signals are used when vessels are in sight of one another
- 35. Sound signals to be used in restricted visibility
- The signals are used when vessels are in restricted visibility.
- 36. Signals to be used to attract attention.
- 37. Distress signals.
- When a vessel is in distress and requires assistance she shall use or exhibit the signals described in Annex IV to these Regulations.
Part E – Exemption[edit]
- 38. Exemption
Any vessel (or class of vessel) provided that she complies with the requirements of the International Regulations for the Preventing of Collisions at Sea, 1960, the keel of which is laid or is at a corresponding stage of construction before the entry into force of these Regulations may be exempted from compliance therewith as follows:
- (a) The installation of lights with ranges prescribed in Rule 22, until 4 years after the date of entry into force of these regulations.
- (b) The installation of lights with color specifications as prescribed in Section 7 of Annex I to these Regulations, until 4 years after the entry into force of these Regulations.
- (c) The repositioning of lights as a result of conversion from Imperial to metric units and rounding off measurement figures, permanent exemption.
- (d) (i) The repositioning of masthead lights on vessels of less than 150 meters in length, resulting from the prescriptions of Section 3 (a) of Annex I to these regulations, permanent exemption.
- (ii). The repositioning of masthead lights on vessels of 150 meters or more in length, resulting from the prescriptions of Section 3 (a) of Annex I to these regulations, until 9 years after the date of entry into force of these Regulations.
- (e) The repositioning of masthead lights resulting from the prescriptions of Section 2(b) of Annex I to these Regulations, until 9 years after the date of entry into force of these Regulations.
- (f) The repositioning of sidelights resulting from the prescriptions of Section 2(g) and 3(b) of Annex I to these Regulations, until 9 years after the date of entry into force of these Regulations.
- (g) The requirements for sound signal appliances prescribed in Annex II to these Regulations, until 9 years after the date of entry into force of these Regulations.
- (h) The repositioning of all-round lights resulting from the prescription of Section 9(b) of Annex I to these Regulations, permanent exemption.
Part F – Verification of Compliance with the Provisions of the Convention[edit]
- Rule 39 Definitions
- (a) Audit means a systematic, independent and documented process for obtaining audit evidence and evaluating it objectively to determine the extent to which audit criteria are fulfilled.
- (b) Audit Scheme means the IMO Member State Audit Scheme established by the Organization and taking into account the guidelines developed by the Organization.* (c) Code for Implementation means the IMO Instruments Implementation Code (III Code) adopted by the Organization by resolution A.1070(28).
- (d) Audit Standard means the Code for Implementation.
* Refer to the Framework and Procedures for the IMO Member State Audit Scheme (resolution A.1067(28)).
Rule 40 Application
Contracting Parties shall use the provisions of the Code for Implementation in the execution of their obligations and responsibilities contained in the present Convention.
Rule 41 Verification of compliance
(a) Every Contracting Party shall be subject to periodic audits by the Organization in accordance with the audit standard to verify compliance with and implementation of the present Convention.
(b) The Secretary-General of the Organization shall have responsibility for administering the Audit Scheme, based on the guidelines developed by the Organization.*
(c) Every Contracting Party shall have responsibility for facilitating the conduct of the audit and implementation of a programme of actions to address the findings, based on the guidelines developed by the Organization.*
(d) Audit of all Contracting Parties shall be:
(i) based on an overall schedule developed by the Secretary-General of the Organization, taking into account the guidelines developed by the Organization;* and
(ii) conducted at periodic intervals, taking into account the guidelines developed by the Organization.*
* Refer to the Framework and Procedures for the IMO Member State Audit Scheme (resolution A.1067(28)).”
Annexes[edit]
- ANNEX I – Positioning and technical details of lights and shapes
- ANNEX II – Additional signals for fishing vessels fishing in close proximity
- ANNEX III – Technical details of sound signal appliances
- ANNEX IV – Distress signals
1. The following signals, used or exhibited either together or separately, indicate distress and need of assistance:
- (a) a gun or other explosive signal fired at intervals of about a minute;
- (b) a continuous sounding with any fog-signalling apparatus;
- (c) rockets or shells, throwing red stars fired one at a time at short intervals;
- (d) a signal made by radiotelegraphy or by any other signalling method consisting of the group . . . — — — . . . (SOS) in Morse Code;
- (e) a signal sent by radiotelephony consisting of the spoken word “Mayday”;
- (f) the International Code Signal of distress indicated by NC;
- (g) a signal consisting of a square flag having above or below it a ball or anything resembling a ball;
- (h) flames on the vessel (as from a burning tar barrel, oil barrel, etc.);
- (i) a rocket parachute flare or a hand flare showing a red light;
- (j) a smoke signal giving off orange-coloured smoke;
- (k) slowly and repeatedly raising and lowering arms outstretched to each side;
- (l) a distress alert by means of digital selective calling (DSC) transmitted on
- (i) VHF channel 70, or
- (ii) MF/HF on the frequencies 2187.5 kHz, 8414.5 kHz, 4207.5 kHz, 6312 kHz, 12577 kHz or 16804.5 kHz;
- (m) a ship-to-shore distress alert transmitted by the ship’s Inmarsat or other mobile satellite service provider ship earth station; (see GMDSS)
- (n) approved signals transmitted by radiocommunication systems, including survival craft radar transponders. (see GMDSS)
2. The use or exhibition of any of the foregoing signals except for the purpose of indicating distress and need of assistance and the use of other signals which may be confused with any of the above signals is prohibited.
3. Attention is drawn to the relevant sections of the International Code of Signals, the Merchant Ship Search and Rescue Manual, Annex III and the following signals;
- (a) a piece of orange-coloured canvas with either a black square and circle or other appropriate symbol (for identification from the air);
- (b) a dye marker.