Ring the bell?

[Woodsy]

The Bell is for use in when visibility is reduced due to fog.... the theory is that the sound a bell makes travels farther in fog than most other sounds. I think you are supposed to ring it once a minute.... but I forget. It used to be layed out in the boating handbook.

I too have a "Bell In A Box" that I purchased at Sports & Marine Parafunalia. I doubt I will ever use it....

I also have 2 MP whistles rated at 110db.... I am pretty sure I can be heard if need be.

Woodsy

[Rich]

Yes, I know what it's supposed to be used for. I just think it's funny that they have a law that says we must have one, but don't reference the reason for requiring it.

[Patiently Watching]

Walmart has great bells with a built-in bottle opener made for football ga,Es, etc. I bought one as a Christmas gag gift for maybe $10

[Descant]

I can almost hear it...200 fishermen on derby weekend, drifting in the fog and ringing their bells. If we could just get them time aligned to carry a tune.

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by Descant

I can almost hear it...200 fishermen on derby weekend, drifting in the fog and ringing their bells. If we could just get them time aligned to carry a tune.

Only those of the 200 whose boat is 26 ft or longer... under 26 ft does not required a bell on board.

Of course, they can sound their horn or whistle to alert those around them...

[V ger]

Before the USCG dropped the requirement for vessels less than 20 meters long to carry a bell they were required when anchored outside of an approved anchorage to ring a bell rapidly for 5 seconds at intervals of not more than a minute during periods of reduced visibility. Vessels aground were required to sound this same signal preceded and followed by 3 distinct strokes of the bell during periods of reduced visibility. That states would require carriage of a bell but not teach it's mariners the proper use of this instrument is sadly typical. If memory serves me correctly bells for vessels less than 12 meters were required to have a bell 200 MM in diameter with a striker weight in excess of 3% of the bell weight. Connecticut and Maine have followed USCG and Colregs.

[V ger]

Manually sounding fog signals at the required 2 minute intervals is at best tedious. If these signals are lung powered they can well become exhausting if compliant with the volume requirements. I have found the "Storm All Weather Whistle" to produce the loudest lung powered whistle. Whistles with a pea or similar object inside them can easily fill with water and become next to useless in the rain or overboard. When operating at night it is prudent to have everyone onboard to be wearing a lifejacket equipped with a whistle and strobe. The high frequencies produced by whistles tend to be rapidly attenuated by fog, rain and snow but can readily be distinguished from lower frequency engine noise. To easily automate you boats existing horn checkout "Fogmate".
This small device can be connected to your boats horn wiring to produce the appropriate signals and even sound an SOS.

[V ger]

The correct signal for recreational fishermen drifting in a fog would be 2 prolonged horn blasts one second apart (Underway but Stopped)repeated every 2 minutes. Commercial fishing operations would be indicated by a long short short patern.

[tis]

The only time our bell rings on our big boat is when it is rough out in the broads and the waves make it ring. And it does drive us crazy.

[radiocontester]

To put a book-end on this thread, I found a 6" bell for $19.00 shipped on Ebay! Call me cheap but with thousands being spent to prep the boat this year every penny counts

[V ger]

The procedures for the use of a bell on vessels in restricted visibility are correct although not specified in the NH boaters guide. Vessels under 12 meters are not required to sound the signals above so long as she "shall make some other efficient sound signal at intervals of not more than 2 minutes".

A bell of 6" diameter would seem to meet the letter of the law as NH does not specify any dimensions but would probably not perform as well as those specified by the USCG in prior times.