How long is the duration of a prolonged blast of the whistle?

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Indiana law requires that scuba divers or snorkelers display a diver-down flag to mark the diving area. The diver must stay within 100 feet of the flag. Vessels must stay at least 150 feet away from the flag unless directly involved in supporting the diver.

Scuba divers and snorkelers should not place a flag in an area already occupied by other boaters or where their diving operation will impede the normal flow of waterway traffic. Divers also should follow all of the water safety rules themselves.

Two types of flags are used to indicate diving activity.

Divers Flag: A rectangular red flag, at least 12 x 12 inches in size, with a white diagonal stripe is used to indicate the presence of a submerged diver in the area. Indiana law requires that divers display this flag prominently and stay within 100 feet of the flag.

Alfa Flag: A blue-and-white International Code Flag A (or Alfa flag), at least 3.3 feet (one meter) high and visible from all directions, must be displayed on vessels on federally controlled waters. This flag indicates that the vessel is involved in a diving activity.

Federally controlled waters are waters on which vessels must observe federal requirements. These waters include:

• Coastal waters
• The Great Lakes
• Territorial seas
• Bodies of water connected directly to one of the above, up to a point where the body of water is less than two miles wide

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Major organized boating activities to be conducted on public waters require a permit. If you plan to host an event that involves 15 or more watercraft as participants or an event that will draw 50 or more boats as spectators, you will need this permit. Also, if you conduct an event on public waters that will disrupt normal boat traffic, you will need to apply.

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The USCG Auxiliary and U.S. Power Squadrons will perform a Vessel Safety Check (VSC) of your vessel and equipment free of charge. This inspection covers federal and state requirements. If your vessel meets all VSC requirements, you will receive a VSC decal. If your vessel fails to meet all requirements, no report is made to any law enforcement agency.

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In addition to adhering to all boating laws, PWC operators have requirements specific to their vessels.

• Each person riding on or being towed behind a PWC must wear a USCG–approved PFD. Recommended are PFDs designed to withstand the impact of hitting the water at high speed.
• PWC must either be equipped with an engine cut-off switch or have a self-circling feature in case the operator falls off. An operator of a PWC equipped with a lanyard-type engine cut-off switch must always attach the lanyard to his or her person, clothing, or PFD.

engine cut-off switch (ECOS) A safety device that is designed to shut the engine down if the operator is thrown from the proper operating position

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PWC may be operated during daylight hours only unless equipped with the appropriate lighting.

It is illegal to operate a PWC while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

A PWC must be operated in a responsible manner. It is illegal to endanger human life, safety, or property. You may not:

• Weave through congested traffic.
• Follow a vessel that is towing other individuals.
• Jump the wake of another vessel.
• Cut between a vessel and an individual being towed.
• Cross paths with another vessel when vision is obstructed.
• Steer toward an object or person in the water and turn sharply at close range.
• Operate while facing backward.

As an owner of a PWC, you are legally responsible if you allow anyone else to operate your PWC in violation of Indiana law.

1. The word whistle means any sound signalling appliance capable of producing the prescribed blasts and which complies with the specifications in annex III to these Regulations.

2. The term short blast means a blast of about one second's duration.

3. The term prolonged blast means a blast of from four to six seconds' duration.

1. A vessel of 12 m or more in length shall be provided with a whistle and a bell and a vessel of 100 m or more in length shall, in addition, be provided with a gong, the tone and sound of which cannot be confused with that of the bell. The whistle, bell and gong shall comply with the specifications in annex III to these Regulations. The bell or gong or both may be replaced by other equipment having the same respective sound characteristics, provided that manual sounding of the prescribed signals shall always be possible.

2. A vessel of less than 12 m in length shall not be obliged to carry the sound signalling appliances prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule but if she does not, she shall be provided with some other means of making an efficient sound signal.

1. When vessels are in sight of one another, a power-driven vessel underway, when manoeuvring as authorized or required by these Rules, shall indicate that manoeuvre 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".

2. Any vessel may supplement the whistle signals prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule by light signals, repeated as appropriate, whilst the manoeuvre is being carried out:

1. these light signals shall have the following significance:

• one flash to mean "I am altering my course to starboard";

• two flashes to mean "I am altering my course to port";

• three flashes to mean "I am operating astern propulsion";

2. the duration of each flash shall be about one second, the interval between flashes shall be about one second, and the interval between successive signals shall be not less than ten seconds;

3. the light used for this signal shall, if fitted, be an all-round white light, visible at a minimum range of 5 miles, and shall comply with the provisions of annex I to these Regulations.

3. When in sight of one another in a narrow channel or fairway:

1. a vessel intending to overtake another shall in compliance with Rule 9(e)(i) 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 blasts to mean "I intend to overtake you on your port side".

2. 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 blast, in that order.

4. When vessels in sight of one another are approaching each other and from any cause either vessel fails to understand the intentions or actions of the other, or is in doubt whether sufficient action is being taken by the other to avoid collision, the vessel in doubt shall immediately indicate such doubt by giving at least five short and rapid blasts on the whistle. Such signal may be supplemented by a light signal of at least five short and rapid flashes.

5. A vessel nearing a bend or an area of a channel or fairway where other vessels may be obscured by an intervening obstruction shall sound one prolonged blast. Such signal shall be answered with a prolonged blast by any approaching vessel that may be within hearing around the bend or behind the intervening obstruction.

6. If whistles are fitted on a vessel at a distance apart of more than 100 m, one whistle only shall be used for giving manoeuvring and warning signals.

In or near an area of restricted visibility, whether by day or night, the signals prescribed in this Rule shall be used as follows:

1. A power-driven vessel making way through the water shall sound at intervals of not more than 2 minutes one prolonged blast.

2. A power-driven vessel underway but stopped and making no way through the water shall sound at intervals of not more than 2 minutes two prolonged blasts in succession with an interval of about 2 seconds between them.

3. A vessel not under command, a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre, a vessel constrained by her draught, a sailing vessel, a vessel engaged in fishing and a vessel engaged in towing or pushing another vessel shall, instead of the signals prescribed in paragraphs (a) or (b) of this Rule, sound at intervals of not more than 2 minutes three blasts in succession, namely one prolonged followed by two short blasts.

4. A vessel engaged in fishing, when at anchor, and a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre when carrying out her work at anchor, shall instead of the signals prescribed in paragraph (g) of this Rule sound the signal prescribed in paragraph (c) of this Rule.

5. A vessel towed or if more than one vessel is towed the last vessel of the tow, if manned, shall at intervals of not more than 2 minutes sound four blasts in succession, namely one prolonged followed by three short blasts. When practicable, this signal shall be made immediately after the signal made by the towing vessel.

6. When a pushed vessel and a vessel being pushed ahead are rigidly connected in a composite unit they shall be regarded as a power-driven vessel and shall give the signals prescribed in paragraphs (a) or (b) of this Rule.

7. A vessel at anchor shall at intervals of not more than one minute ring the bell rapidly for about 5 seconds. In a vessel of 100 m or more in length the bell shall be sounded in the forepart of the vessel and immediately after the ringing of the bell the gong shall be sounded rapidly for about 5 seconds in the after part of the vessel. A vessel at anchor may in addition sound three blasts in succession, namely one short, one prolonged and one short blast, to give warning of her position and of the possibility of collision to an approaching vessel.

8. A vessel aground shall give the bell signal and if required the gong signal prescribed in paragraph (g) of this Rule and shall, in addition, give three separate and distinct strokes on the bell immediately before and after the rapid ringing of the bell. A vessel aground may in addition sound an appropriate whistle signal.

9. A vessel of less than 12 m in length shall not be obliged to give the above-mentioned signals but, if she does not, shall make some other efficient sound signal at intervals of not more than 2 minutes.

10. A pilot vessel when engaged on pilotage duty may in addition to the signals prescribed in paragraphs (a), (b) or (g) of this Rule sound an identity signal consisting of four short blasts.

If necessary to attract the attention of another vessel any vessel may make light or sound signals that cannot be mistaken for any signal authorized elsewhere in these Rules, or may direct the beam of her searchlight in the direction of the danger, in such a way as not to embarrass any vessel. Any light to attract the attention of another vessel shall be such that it cannot be mistaken for any aid to navigation. For the purpose of this Rule the use of high-intensity intermittent or revolving lights, such as strobe lights, shall be avoided.

When a vessel is in distress and requires assistance she shall use or exhibit the signals described in annex IV to these Regulations.