Drawbridges, Inland
Bridge answer: can't open
The draw can't be opened immediately, or it's open and must close promptly.
Five short blasts
Who sounds it
Drawtender.
How it's sounded
"Five short blasts sounded in rapid succession not more than 30 seconds after the vessel's opening signal." 0.4 second gaps are used here.
Repeated until acknowledged in some manner by the requesting vessel.
A short blast is about 1 second. A prolonged blast is 4 to 6 seconds. Clips use 1 and 5 seconds.
Worth remembering
Five short from a bridge means the draw won't open right now.
The same sound elsewhere
These use the same pattern, so the rules you’re under and the situation decide what it means.
More in drawbridges
Study more
See every sound signal, try the free Rules of the Road practice test, or read who gives way, and how Inland differs.
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