What is the requirement for sound producing device is on vessels less than 39.4 feet in length?

Any person born after June 30, 1980, must pass a boating education course approved by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to legally operate a vessel.
Any person under 12 years old must be accompanied by someone who is at least 21 years old when operating a motorboat or a personal watercraft.
The boating education certification card must be carried onboard the vessel whenever the vessel is operated by someone required to have a certificate.

The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources Marine Patrol offers free approved boating education classes. To register, visit mdwfp.com/law-enforcement/boater-education.

Índice Show

Required Equipment
Maneuvering Signals
Proper Sound Signals

Required Equipment

Personal Flotation Devices

All vessels must carry one wearable U.S. Coast Guard–approved Personal Flotation Device for each person on board.
Vessels 16 feet or longer - must have one U.S. Coast Guard-approved Type IV PFD readily available on board.
Vessels less than 26 feet in length - Children 12 years old and younger must wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved Type I, II or III PFD whenever underway.
Personal water craft (PWC) - Each person riding on or being towed behind must wear a Type I, II or III US Coast Guard-approved PFD in Mississippi waters south of Interstate 10.
PFDs must be
- In good and serviceable condition.
- Readily accessible, which means you can put the PFD on quickly in an emergency.
- Proper size for the intended wearer. Sizing for PFDs is based on body weight and chest size.

Navigation Lights

Navigation lights must be displayed between sunset and sunrise and during periods of restricted visibility. These lights help boaters determine which vessel is the give-way boat when encountering each other at night.

Fire Extinguisher

All vessels are required to have a Type B fire extinguisher on board if one or more of the following conditions exist:

Closed compartments under seats where portable fuel tanks may be stored
Closed storage compartments in which flammable or combustible materials may be stored
Closed living spaces
Permanently installed fuel tanks

Approved types of fire extinguishers are identified by the following marking on the label— “Marine Type USCG Approved”—followed by the type and size symbols and the approval number.

Sound Producing Devices

Vessels less than 39.4 feet are required to make an efficient sound (horn, whistle or bell) to signal their position in periods of reduced visibility.
Athletic whistlers are not acceptable sound-producing devices for vessels over 39.4 feet long.
Vessel operators are to carry a horn or whistle capable of a four-second blast audible for one-half mile for all boats.

Visual Distress Signals

Vessels less than 16 feet must be equipped between sunrise and sunset
Vessels more than 16 feet must be equipped always
Federally controlled waters – ALL VESSELS must be equipped with US Coast Guard-approved day and night signals.

Personal Water Craft and Towing Requirements

The PWC must be equipped with a self-circling device or lanyard type ignition-safety switch attached to the operator’s clothing or PFD.
May not be operated at an excessive speed within 100 feet of another occupied vessel, except for a crossing situation or overtaking in accordance with the navigation rules.
May not jump or attempt to jump the wake of another vessel within 100 feet of that vessel.
May not follow within 100 feet of a water skier.
A person older than the age of 10 must be present, in addition to the driver, when towing a person on water skis, surfboard or similar device.
When towing a person, PWCs must be rated for at least three people (the driver, observer and person being towed).

For marine emergencies, call 1-844-WE-R-MDMR (937-6367).

Equipment for Sound Signals is based on the length of your boat as follows.

Boats less than 39.4 feet in length - must carry an efficient sound producing device. In general, this may be a bell, whistle, or air horn. Though guns--even pots and pans--can make a suitable sound signal useful in getting attention in an emergency, you should always carry the appropriate equipment.
Boats at least 39.4 feet to less than 65.6 feet in length - Must carry a whistle and a bell. The whistle must be audible for 1/2 nautical mile. The mouth of the bell must be at least 7.87 inches in diameter.

Sound signals are to be used only when vessels are in sight of each other and are meeting or crossing at a distance within half a mile of each other. These signals must never be used in fog or other conditions of reduced visibility, where the vessels are not visible to each other by eye. Only the fog signals listed under the Inland Rules, Rule 35 may be sounded at such time.

Sound signals are called "blasts". There are two different blasts used for warning and steering signals.

Short Blast - Lasts about one second.
Prolonged Blast - Lasts from four to six seconds.

Maneuvering Signals

There are different blasts combinations for various movements on the water that may use both short and prolonged blasts. When 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 the Inland rules must use the following sound signals.

One Short Blast - This means "I intend to leave you on MY port side". When you pass near another boat, you will manuever by leaving them on your left side as you pass. If you are behind another boat, going the same direction and about to overtake it, one short blast means: "I intend to pass you on YOUR starboard side, MY port side".
One Prolonged Blast - This means you are leaving a dock or departing your slip. It signals to others a change in status and that you are getting underway. A prolonged blast is also sounded when a vessel is approaching a bend in a river where vessels coming from another direction cannot be seen. It is sometimes referred to as the “blind bend signal".
Two Short Blasts - This means "I intend to leave you on MY starboard side". When you pass near another boat, you will manuever by leaving them on your right side as you pass. If you are behind another boat, going the same direction and about to overtake it, two short blasts means: "I intend to pass you on YOUR port side, MY starboard side."
Three Short Blasts - This means you are operating in astern propulsion, for example backing away from a dock
One Prolonged Blast + Three Short Blasts – This is technically two different signals in succession. One prolonged blast indicates you are getting under way, and three short blasts indicate you are backing up. This is what is sounded when you are departing a dock in reverse.
Five Short Blasts - This is the DANGER signal. Remember, that when you approach another vessel and hear either one or two short blasts, and you both understand their signal and can safely let them do it, then you are required to respond with the same signal in response. However, if you don't understand their intentions, or feel that their proposed maneuver is dangerous to either vessel, then you are required to sound the DANGER signal.

Note: Inland Rules regarding sound signals are occasionally different from International Rules. Inland Rules signal intended action and International Rules signal what you are actually doing. The following information reflects Inland Rules. If you travel overseas, you must learn the International Rules.

Proper Sound Signals

When you meet an oncoming vessel, and wish to pass port to port, you are required to sound one short blast with your horn. If the other boat is in agreement, they should respond with a similar blast.

If you approach another vessel head on, and wish to pass it on its starboard side, you are required to sound two short blasts with your horn. If the other vessel is in agreement, they should sound the same signal in response.

When you are planning on passing another vessel from behind, there are several things you must do. Any vessel that is overtaking another must keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken. This means that you can't expect them to move, slow down, or change their course. If you plan on passing them on THEIR starboard side, you must sound one short blast. If they understand your signal and agree, they will sound one short blast in response. The vessel being overtaken has a responsibility to maintain course and speed in order to minimize the potential for collision.

When you are planning on passing another vessel from behind, there are several things you must do. Any vessel that is overtaking another must keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken. This means that you can't expect them to move, slow down, or change their course. If you plan on passing them on THEIR PORT side, you must sound two short blasts. If they understand your signal and agree, they will sound two short blasts in response. The vessel being overtaken has a responsibility to maintain course and speed in order to minimize the potential for collision.

Note: These are not the only rules concerning sound signals in restricted visibility; there are additional rules concerning sound signals that may be found in the Rules of the Road or in Chapman's Piloting.