Chapter - 20

Special Signals

International Life Saving Signals

(1) Replies from shore station to distress signals made by a ship: (a) Signal: By day: white smoke signal. By night: white star rocket, (b) Signification: You are seen. Assistance will be given as soon as possible.

(2) Landing signals for the guidance of small boats bringing away the crew of a wrecked ship: (a) Signal: By day: vertical motion of a white flag or the arms. By night: vertical motion of a white light or flare. A range (indication of direction) may be given by placing a steady white light or flare lower and in line with the observer, (b) Signification: This is the best place to land, (c) Signal: By day: horizontal motion of a white flag or arms extended horizontally. By night: horizontal motion of a white light or flare, (d) Signification: Landing here highly dangerous, (e) Signal: By day: horizontal motion of a white flag, followed by the placing of the white flag in the ground and carrying of another white flag in the direction to be indicated. By night: horizontal motion of a white light or flare, followed by the placing of the white light or flare on the ground and the carrying of another white light or flare in the direction to be indicated, (f) Signification: Landing here highly dangerous. A more favorable location to land is in the direction indicated.

Submarine Distress Signals

At the time of the Squalus disaster, smoke bombs were observed by fishermen operating in the vicinity. It appears that these fishermen thought nothing of these displays, supposing that they were some form of drill and made no report of them.

A submarine of the United States Navy which may be in need of assistance releases a red smoke bomb.

A submarine which may be compelled to surface in the vicinity of surface craft releases a yellow smoke bomb. Surface vessels should keep clear of the yellow smoke bombs.

Any person sighting a red smoke bomb rising from the surface of the water should report the time and location immediately to the nearest Naval authority or Coast Guard unit.

Distress Signals International Rules

(1) A gun or other explosive signal fired at intervals of about a minute (2) a continuous sounding with any fog signal apparatus (3) rockets or shells, throwing red stars, fired one at a time at short intervals (4) the International Code Signal of distress indicated by NC (5) a square flag, having above or below it a ball or anything resembling a ball (6) flames on the vessel, as from a burning tar barrel, oil barrel, etc. (7) a signal made by radiotelegraphy or by any other signalling method consisting of the group ...―――... in the Morse Code (8) a signal sent by radiotelephony consisting of the spoken word "Mayday" and (9) a rocket parachute flare showing a red light. A radio signal has been provided for use by vessels in distress for the purpose of actuating the auto-alarms of other vessels and thus securing attention to distress calls or messages. The signal consists of a series of 12 dashes, sent in 1 minute, the duration of each dash being 4 seconds, and the duration of the interval between 2 consecutive dashes 1 second.

Inland Rules

By day:—1. A continuous sounding with any fog signal apparatus, or firing a gun.

By night:—1. Flames on the vessel, as from a burning tar or oil barrel, etc.
2. Continuous sounding with any fog signal apparatus, or firing a gun.

U. S. Storm Signals

After much preparatory work and consultation with marine groups, yacht clubs, shipping agencies and other coastal interests, a simplified system of Coastal Warning Displays was put into effect January 1, 1958, by the Weather Bureau, Department of Commerce.

Under the new method, only four separate signals are used during the day, instead of the seven separate flag signals formerly employed in the Weather Bureau's Storm Warning Display System. During the night, only four comparable lantern signals are used for Small Craft, Gale, Whole Gale, and Hurricane warnings.

The Weather Bureau emphasizes that these visual storm warnings displayed along the coast are supplementary to—and not a replacement for—the written advisories and warnings given prompt and wide distribution by press, radio and television. In most cases, important details of the forecasts and warnings in regard to the time, intensity, duration, and direction of storms, cannot be given satisfactorily through visual signals alone.

What The Signals Mean

Following is a detailed explanation of the new signals:

Small Craft Warning: One red pennant displayed by day and a red light above a white light at night to indicate winds up to 38 mph (33 knots) and/or sea conditions dangerous to small craft operations are forecast for the area.

Gale Warning: Two red pennants displayed by day and a white light above a red light at night to indicate winds ranging from 39 to 54 mph (34 to 48 knots) are forecast for the area.

Whole Gale Warnings: A single square red flag with a black center displayed during daytime and two red lights at night to indicate winds ranging from 55 to 73 mph (48 to 63 knots) are forecast for the area.
 
Hurricane Warning: Two square red flags with black centers displayed by day and a white light between two red lights at night to indicate that winds 74 mph (64 knots) and above are forecast for the area.

Storm Warnings By Radio

Storm warnings and storm advisories issued by the United States Weather Bureau are broadcast, after clearance through military authorities, by designated United States Naval and Coast Guard radio stations. A large number of commercial radio stations also broadcast storm warnings under the same clearance requirements although at somewhat irregular intervals.

Radio schedules of storm warnings and weather information broad-Cast from United States and foreign stations are contained in Hydro-graphic Office Publication 206 entitled, "Radio Weather Aids to Navigation."

Signals From Coast Guard Vessels And Lightships

Coast Guard vessels now display storm warning signals. Headquarters of the Coast Guard are supplied with weather information by the Weather Bureau and Coast Guard vessels receive instructions to fly the proper signals when storms are approaching. The shore stations where storm warning signals are displayed are listed in the various Coast Pilots. The Pilots also contain general information as to the prevailing weather in those areas covered by each book.

In 1945, display of storm warning signals from lightships was authorized. These signals consist of the standard Weather Bureau flag hoists, displayed by day. No night signals are displayed. The storm warning signals are flown only while the lightships are on station, not while proceeding to and from station.

Yachtsmen will find much interesting weather information on the various pilot charts of the North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans issued by the Hydrographic Office of the Navy Department. These amount practically to monthly weather maps of the oceans and in addition give a vast amount of valuable data on subjects closely allied to weather and weather forecasting.

Storm Warning Facilities Charts, prepared by the Weather Bureau, are available from the Superintendent of Documents, Washington 25, D. C, at 5 cents each. Eleven charts cover the coastal waters of the United States and the Great Lakes. In addition to locating points where storm warning signals are displayed, the charts list commercial broadcasting stations, Telephone Company and Coast Guard stations which broadcast weather reports, and times of broadcasts.

Canadian Storm Warning Signals

Canadian storm warning signals are made by means of a cone and cylinder used in the following ways:

1. A cone, apex down, indicates the probability of a moderate gale; at first, from an easterly direction.

2. A cone, apex up, probability of a gale; at first, from a westerly direction.

3. A cylinder over a cone, apex down, probability of a heavy gale; at first, from an easterly direction.

4. A cone, apex up, over a cylinder, probability of a heavy gale; at first from a westerly direction.

The night signal corresponding to numbers 1 and 3 is a red light; that corresponding to numbers 2 and 4 is a red light over a white light.

Signals For A Pilot

A pilot may be obtained by displaying any of the following signals: By day—1. The International Code pilot signal indicated by PT.

2. The International Code flag G.

3. The distance signal consisting of a cone, point upward having above it two spheres or shapes resembling spheres.

4. The Jack, hoisted at the fore. At night—1. A blue pyrotechnic light burned every fifteen minutes.

2. A bright white light flashed at frequent intervals just a little above the deck.

To signal for a towboat set the ensign in the main rigging above the bulwarks for about a minute at a time.

Day Mark For Vessel At Anchor

During the daytime, no signal is required to denote that a vessel under 65 feet is at anchor. If over 65 feet they show, forward, a black ball or shape.

Vessel Not Under Control

A vessel not under control, on the high seas, shows two black balls or shapes in a vertical line.

Day Marks For Various Types Of Vessels

(Left)-A vessel not under Control on the high seas shows a day mark consisting of two black balls vertically arranged placed in Q position where they can best be seen. On other waters, the same day signal is displayed by self propelled suction dredges underway with their suctions on bottom.

(Left)_A cable vessel in the day time shows a day mark consisting of three shapes, the upper and lower of which are red balls and the center shape is in the form of a diamond, painted bright white. This signal is also used on the high seas by vessels working on navigational aids, surveying or underwater operations.

(Left) On waters other than the high seas, vessels which are moored or anchored and engaged in laying pipe or operating on submarine construction display in the day time two balls in a vertical line, the upper ball being painted with alternate black and white vertical Stripes and the lower ball bright red.

(Left) Vessels over 65 feet (on inland waters) anchored in a channel display one black ball. On the high seas. It is used by anchored vessels regard- less of length.

(Right)—Steamers, lighters and other vessels made fast alongside a wreck or moored over a wreck, display two double frustums of a cone base to base, both of which are painted bright red.

(Left Dredges held in a stationary position show two red balls in the day time, vertically arranged and placed in a position where they can best be seen.

A fishing vessel in the day time may display a basket in the rigging.

Cable Vessel

A cable vessel shows three shapes, the highest and lowest being globular in shape and red in color, and the middle being diamond in shape and white.

Vessel In Distress

A vessel in distress and in the need of assistance signifies same by placing the national ensign upside down.

Power-Driven Vessel Under Sail

On the high seas, a vessel under soil, when also propelled by machinery carries forward a black conical shape, point upward.

Fishing Vessel

A fishing vessel with nets, lines or trawls out indicates same by showing a basket, showing same on the side which approaching vessels may pass.

Dredges

On all waters except the high seas dredges held stationary by moorings or spuds display two red balls in vertical line 3 to 6 feet apart, 15 feet above the deckhouse.

On all waters except the high seas two black balls (at least 2 feet in diameter and 15 feet above the deckhouse) are the day mark of a self-propelling suction dredge under way with suction on the bottom. Under International Rules no special day mark is specified though she could properly show the same two black balls signifying, on the high seas, a vessel not under command.

Day Marks For Wrecks

Steamers, derrick boats, lighters and other vessels fast to a wreck, alongside or moored over it, display two red shapes in vertical line, except when more than one vessel is at work, when the shapes are displayed from one vessel on each side of the wreck. These shapes are double frustums of a cone, base to base. The rules are uniform except on the high seas where such a craft, not being specially provided for, would have to use two black balls (not under command).

Bell Time

The twenty-four hours are divided on board ship into seven parts, and the crew is divided into two parts or watches, designated Port and Starboard Watches. Each watch are on duty four hours, except from 4 to 8 P. M., which time is divided into two watches of two hours each, called Dog Watches, by means of which the watches are changed every day, and each watch gets a turn of eight hours' rest at night. First Watch, 8 P. M. to midnight; Middle Watch, midnight to 4 A. M. ; Morning Watch, 4 to 8 A. M. ; Forenoon Watch, 8 A. M. to noon; Afternoon Watch, noon to 4 p. M.; First Dog Watch, 4 to 6 P.M.; Second Dog Watch, 6 to 8 P. M. In the French service there are no Dog Watches, but there are two watches of 6 hours each.

The Bell Is Struck Every Half Hour to Indicate the Time
 
1             Bell,              12.30 A.M.
2             Bells,             1.00 "
3             "                    1.30 "
4             "                    2.00 "
5             "                    2.30 "
6             "                    3.00
7             "                    3.30
8             "                    4.00

1             Bell,              4.30
2             Bells,             5.00
3             "                    5.30
4             "                    6.00
5             "                    6.30
6             "                    7.00
7             "                    7.30
8             "                    8.00
 
1             Bell,              8.30 A.M.
2             Bells,             9.00 "
3             "                    9.30 "
4             "                    10.00 "
5             "                    10.30 "
6             "                    11.00 "
7             "                    11.30 "
8             "                    12.00 noon.

1             Bell,              12.30 p. M.
2             Bells,             1.00 "
3             "                    1.30 "
4             "                    2.00 "
5             "                    2.30 "
6             "                    3.00 "
7             "                    3.30 "
8             "                    4.00 "
 
1             Bell,              4.30 P.M.
2             Bells,             5.00
3             "                    5.30
4             "                    6.00
5             "                    6.30
6             "                    7.00
7             "                    7.30
8             "                    8.00

1             Bell,              8.30
2             Bells,             9.00
3             "                    9.30
4             "                    10.00
5             "                    10.30
6             "                    11.00
7             "                    11.30
8             "                    12.00 night.

Distress Signals By Aircraft

The attention of all navigators of surface vessels is called to the procedure which will be followed by the planes of a Naval squadron when a plane is forced down at sea, in order that assistance may be rendered as quickly as possible.

A plane will fly several times across the bow of the nearest surface vessel, opening and closing the throttle, and then will fly in the direction of the plane in distress. The signal will then be repeated until the ship has acknowledged by following the plane. If possible, the plane will remain in sight of the surface vessel until the latter sights the plane in distress. All planes will resort to the use of available pyrotechnics as necessary to attract the attention of surface vessels.

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