Ring the bell?

radiocontester · 01-19-2016, 12:38 PM

Fellow boaters:

Since my boat is 28' I need a bell onboard to adhere to the safety requirements. Knowing it will most likely spend it's entire life in a box under the helm seat I'm looking for a cheap solution. Any recommendations?

Thanks.

tis · 01-19-2016, 12:41 PM

I thought that law got changed recently and you don't need a bell.

radiocontester · 01-19-2016, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tis

I thought that law got changed recently and you don't need a bell.

https://www.boat-ed.com/newhampshire...3101_700056569

ishoot308 · 01-19-2016, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radiocontester

Fellow boaters:

Since my boat is 28' I need a bell onboard to adhere to the safety requirements. Knowing it will most likely spend it's entire life in a box under the helm seat I'm looking for a cheap solution. Any recommendations?

Thanks.

A $2.00 plastic hand whistle is fine...As long as it can be heard 1 mile away which most can and I'm not sure how they would enforce it. You could also get one of those compressed air horns. You can always use it during fourth of July fireworks!!

Dan

VitaBene · 01-19-2016, 02:13 PM

Dan,

According to the link above, he will still need a bell and a whistle or similar. In Power Squadron, we always called it a bell in a box, because that was always where it was kept!

It may have been changed, if so I am unaware of it.

tis · 01-19-2016, 02:44 PM

Well, I know everybody still needs a horn or a whistle but I think radio is referring to bigger boats which also need a bell. It is the bell regulation which I thought had been changed, but I could be wrong.

radiocontester · 01-19-2016, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tis

Well, I know everybody still needs a horn or a whistle but I think radio is referring to bigger boats which also need a bell. It is the bell regulation which I thought had been changed, but I could be wrong.

Correct....boats over 26' need a bell onboard. Looking for inexpensive recommendations (i.e. <$20)......I seem to be having a hard time finding anything under $50.00 online.

ishoot308 · 01-19-2016, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tis

Well, I know everybody still needs a horn or a whistle but I think radio is referring to bigger boats which also need a bell. It is the bell regulation which I thought had been changed, but I could be wrong.

I thought that regulation was changed to a few years back....

Knomad · 01-19-2016, 04:54 PM

The bell is no longer required by federal or state regulations:

http://www.usps.org/national/vsc/for...USCGMinReq.pdf

radiocontester · 01-19-2016, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knomad

The bell is no longer required by federal or state regulations:

http://www.usps.org/national/vsc/for...USCGMinReq.pdf

From NH.gov website:

Saf-C 403.12 Sound-Producing Devices.

(a) All class A motorboats shall be equipped with one hand, mouth or power operated whistle.

(b) All class I motorboats from 16 feet to less than 26 feet in length shall be equipped with one hand, mouth or power operated whistle, audible for a distance of at least one-half mile.

(c) All class II motorboats from 26 feet to less than 40 feet in length shall be equipped with one bell and one hand or power operated whistle, audible for a distance of at least one mile.

(d) All class III motorboats 40 feet in length to less than 65 feet shall be equipped with one bell and one power operated whistle, audible for a distance of at least one mile.

http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rule.../saf-c400.html

Descant · 01-19-2016, 10:18 PM

I recall a protocol for using the whistle when transiting in fog (One long blast every minute? USPS members help me here.) And if you're in one position in the fog, e.g. fishing, you ring the bell. Most fishing boats don't have a bell, not required. On Winni, nobody does this (perhaps MS Mount Washington, but I don't recall hearing her on foggy days.) MP is out in the fog, I've come across them. We were both going so slow, we just talked. No whistle or bell.

Sound device or not, Just please stay at headway speed in the fog.

Oh! My bell cost thousands of dollars, still in the wrapper. It came with a boat at no additional cost. If I don't unwrap it, can I still pass a courtesy inspection (USPS again)?

Rich · 01-21-2016, 11:21 AM

They tell you that you must have a bell, but they don't tell you what you're supposed to use it for, or when it's required to be used.

Possibly this is why they are left in the box.

Woodsy · 01-21-2016, 01:46 PM

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 · 01-21-2016, 04:44 PM

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 · 01-21-2016, 07:49 PM

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 · 01-23-2016, 03:55 PM

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 · 01-23-2016, 06:19 PM

Quote:

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 · 01-28-2016, 09:49 PM

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 · 01-28-2016, 10:25 PM

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 · 01-28-2016, 10:44 PM

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 · 01-29-2016, 07:31 AM

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 · 01-29-2016, 01:35 PM

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 · 02-01-2016, 11:28 PM

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.

ApS · 02-10-2016, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Descant

I recall a protocol for using the whistle when transiting in fog (One long blast every minute? USPS members help me here.) And if you're in one position in the fog, e.g. fishing, you ring the bell. Most fishing boats don't have a bell, not required. On Winni, nobody does this (perhaps MS Mount Washington, but I don't recall hearing her on foggy days.) MP is out in the fog, I've come across them. We were both going so slow, we just talked. No whistle or bell. Sound device or not, Just please stay at headway speed in the fog. Oh! My bell cost thousands of dollars, still in the wrapper. It came with a boat at no additional cost. If I don't unwrap it, can I still pass a courtesy inspection (USPS again)?

In deep fog, observing from my shoreline, it's easy to determine that there's a bass boat "out there". No bell or whistle is going to <<<POOF>>> suddenly create common sense speeds.

.

01-19-2016, 12:38 PM	#1
radiocontester Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Southern NH Posts: 154 Thanks: 36 Thanked 37 Times in 20 Posts	Ring the bell? Fellow boaters: Since my boat is 28' I need a bell onboard to adhere to the safety requirements. Knowing it will most likely spend it's entire life in a box under the helm seat I'm looking for a cheap solution. Any recommendations? Thanks.

01-19-2016, 10:18 PM	#11
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,030 Thanks: 1,209 Thanked 1,509 Times in 982 Posts	When? I recall a protocol for using the whistle when transiting in fog (One long blast every minute? USPS members help me here.) And if you're in one position in the fog, e.g. fishing, you ring the bell. Most fishing boats don't have a bell, not required. On Winni, nobody does this (perhaps MS Mount Washington, but I don't recall hearing her on foggy days.) MP is out in the fog, I've come across them. We were both going so slow, we just talked. No whistle or bell. Sound device or not, Just please stay at headway speed in the fog. Oh! My bell cost thousands of dollars, still in the wrapper. It came with a boat at no additional cost. If I don't unwrap it, can I still pass a courtesy inspection (USPS again)?

01-21-2016, 11:21 AM	#12
Rich Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Derry / Gilford Posts: 1,219 Thanks: 68 Thanked 341 Times in 231 Posts	They tell you that you must have a bell, but they don't tell you what you're supposed to use it for, or when it's required to be used. Possibly this is why they are left in the box. __________________ Don't listen to me, obviously I don't understand what I'm talking about! Let's help each other save time and money: WinniGas.com

01-21-2016, 01:46 PM	#13
Woodsy Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Weirs Beach Posts: 1,949 Thanks: 80 Thanked 969 Times in 432 Posts	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 __________________ The only way to eliminate ignorant behavior is through education. You can't fix stupid.

01-21-2016, 04:44 PM	#14
Rich Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Derry / Gilford Posts: 1,219 Thanks: 68 Thanked 341 Times in 231 Posts	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. __________________ Don't listen to me, obviously I don't understand what I'm talking about! Let's help each other save time and money: WinniGas.com

01-19-2016, 12:41 PM	#2
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,405 Thanks: 719 Thanked 1,379 Times in 955 Posts	I thought that law got changed recently and you don't need a bell.

01-19-2016, 02:13 PM	#5
VitaBene Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 3,530 Thanks: 1,570 Thanked 1,601 Times in 821 Posts	Dan, According to the link above, he will still need a bell and a whistle or similar. In Power Squadron, we always called it a bell in a box, because that was always where it was kept! It may have been changed, if so I am unaware of it.

01-19-2016, 02:44 PM	#6
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,405 Thanks: 719 Thanked 1,379 Times in 955 Posts	Well, I know everybody still needs a horn or a whistle but I think radio is referring to bigger boats which also need a bell. It is the bell regulation which I thought had been changed, but I could be wrong.

01-19-2016, 04:54 PM	#9
Knomad Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Center Tuftonboro Posts: 173 Thanks: 0 Thanked 33 Times in 19 Posts	The bell is no longer required by federal or state regulations: http://www.usps.org/national/vsc/for...USCGMinReq.pdf

01-21-2016, 07:49 PM	#15
Patiently Watching Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 184 Thanks: 2 Thanked 42 Times in 34 Posts	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

01-23-2016, 03:55 PM	#16
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,030 Thanks: 1,209 Thanked 1,509 Times in 982 Posts	Just imagine 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.

01-28-2016, 09:49 PM	#18
V ger Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 46 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	Bell Fog Signals 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.

01-28-2016, 10:25 PM	#19
V ger Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 46 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	Manual Fog Signals 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. Last edited by V ger; 01-29-2016 at 03:33 PM.

01-28-2016, 10:44 PM	#20
V ger Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 46 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	Drifting fishermen fog signals 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.

01-29-2016, 07:31 AM	#21
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,405 Thanks: 719 Thanked 1,379 Times in 955 Posts	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.

01-29-2016, 01:35 PM	#22
radiocontester Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Southern NH Posts: 154 Thanks: 36 Thanked 37 Times in 20 Posts	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

02-01-2016, 11:28 PM	#23
V ger Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 46 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	Bell Usage 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.