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It is the "Masters Salute", a salute to the Master of another vessel.
They intend to pass starboard side to starboard side.
They intend to pass starboard side to starboard side.
Means it's about to turn to port.
Two short blast shows the intention to direct the course of their vessel to their own port (left).
Rules of the RoadSound and light signalsRule 34Maneuvering and Warning SignalsInternational (Signals of Action)(a.) When vessels are in sight of one another, a power driven vessel underway, when maneuvering as authorized or required by these rules, shall indicate that maneuver by the following signals on her whistle.-One short blast to mean "I AM altering my course to starboard";-Two short blasts to mean "I AM altering my course to port";-Three short blasts to mean "I AM operating astern propulsion".Inland (Signals of intent)(a) When a 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" (turning to starboard.); two short blast to mean "I intend to leave you on my starboard" (turning to port); and three short blasts to mean "I amoperating astern propulsion"(This is the ONLY action in Inland)Read more: What_do_two_short_horn_blasts_from_another_vessel_mean_in_a_meeting_situation
I intend to pass you on my port (left) side.It means I intend to LEAVE you on my port side. That means you will be overtaking the vessel you are approaching (which is the stand on vessel and has the right away) and leaving it on YOUR port side. Simply put you are over taking the vessel and maneuvering to your right. If you are passing from behind and the other vessel is in agreement they will sound the same sound, one short blast. To pass on the opposite side leaving them on your starboard side then you will sound two short blasts. If in agreement you will hear two short blasts in return.
4 short blasts are the letter H is morse. On the River Clyde in Scotland a local bye law allows it to be signalled by a vessel going astern from a berth, generally a paddle steamer, indicating that it is going astern, it has difficulty in manoeuvring and warning other vessels to keep clear.
Rules of the RoadSound and light signalsRule 34Maneuvering and Warning SignalsInternational (Signals of Action)(a.) When vessels are in sight of one another, a power driven vessel underway, when maneuvering as authorized or required by these rules, shall indicate that maneuver by the following signals on her whistle.-One short blast to mean "I AM altering my course to starboard";-Two short blasts to mean "I AM altering my course to port";-Three short blasts to mean "I AM operating astern propulsion".Inland (Signals of intent)(a) When a 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" (turning to starboard.); two short blast to mean "I intend to leave you on my starboard" (turning to port); and three short blasts to mean "I am operating astern propulsion"(This is the ONLY action in Inland)
Rules of the RoadSound and light signalsRule 34Maneuvering and Warning SignalsInternational (Signals of Action)(a.) When vessels are in sight of one another, a power driven vessel underway, when maneuvering as authorized or required by these rules, shall indicate that maneuver by the following signals on her whistle.-One short blast to mean "I AM altering my course to starboard";-Two short blasts to mean "I AM altering my course to port";-Three short blasts to mean "I AM operating astern propulsion".Inland (Signals of intent)(a) When a 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" (turning to starboard.); two short blast to mean "I intend to leave you on my starboard" (turning to port); and three short blasts to mean "I am operating astern propulsion"(This is the ONLY action in Inland)
If you are passing " from astern" of a vessel this is called an "Overtaking" situation.InternationalSound and Light signalsRule 34Maneuvering and warning signals.(c) When in sight of one another in a narrow channel or fairway:(i) a vessel intending to overtake another shall in compliance with Rule 9 (e)(i) shall indicate her intention by the following signals on her whistle:-Two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast to mean " I intend to overtake you on your starboard side";-Two prolonged blasts followed by two short blaststo mean "I intend to overtake you on your port side".(ii) the vessel about to be overtaken when acting in accordance with Rule 9 (e) (i) shall indicate her agreement by the following signal on her whistle:-One prolonged, one short, one prolonged and one short.***Inland(c) 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 blaststo mean "I intend to to over take 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 there is ANY doubt as to the intentions the danger signal of 5 or more short blasts must be sounded.
Rules of the RoadSound and light signalsRule 34Maneuvering and Warning SignalsInternational (Signals of Action)(a.) When vessels are in sight of one another, a power driven vessel underway, when maneuvering as authorized or required by these rules, shall indicate that maneuver by the following signals on her whistle.-One short blast to mean "I AM altering my course to starboard";-Two short blasts to mean "I AM altering my course to port";-Three short blasts to mean "I AM operating astern propulsion".Inland (Signals of intent)(a) When a 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" (turning to starboard.); two short blast to mean "I intend to leave you on my starboard" (turning to port); and three short blasts to mean "I am operating astern propulsion"(This is the ONLY action in Inland)