Overtaking, Inland
Overtaking on the other vessel's port side
I intend to overtake you on your port side.
Two short blasts
Who sounds it
Power-driven vessel intending to overtake another power-driven vessel, in sight.
How it's sounded
Short blast: about 1 second (Rule 32(b)). The rule sets no gap between blasts. 1 second is used here so the blasts stay distinct.
A short blast is about 1 second. A prolonged blast is 4 to 6 seconds. Clips use 1 and 5 seconds.
Worth remembering
One for starboard, two for port. The side named is the other vessel's side.
The same sound elsewhere
These use the same pattern, so the rules you’re under and the situation decide what it means.
More in overtaking
- Overtaking on the other vessel's starboard sideInternationaltwo prolonged blasts, then one short blast
- Overtaking on the other vessel's port sideInternationaltwo prolonged blasts, then two short blasts
- Agreeing to be overtakenInternationalone prolonged blast, then one short blast, then one prolonged blast, then one short blast
- Overtaking on the other vessel's starboard sideInlandone short blast
- Agreeing to be overtaken on your starboard sideInlandone short blast
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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