All ships signal for the Queen

Brass ships horn

This weekend Britain has been marking the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. She has served for 70 years on the throne and people across the country have joined in many different events over a four day bank holiday to mark the occasion. On Saturday we joined in the all ships salute presented by merchant, naval and pleasure vessels all round the coast of Britain. At 12pm boats gave one long blast on their signal horns, joining together in a discordant but not unpleasant note. Often heard at midnight on New Years Eve, the noise of many vessels sounding their horns in unison is quite an experience. 

Looking across Plymouth Sound on the Jubilee weekend

Vessels are required to carry sound equipment which is usually used for far more serious purposes. The International regulations for preventing collisions at sea (commonly referred to as COLREGS) are the general rules of the road for all vessels on the high seas and waters used by sea going vessels. Part D - Sound and light signals - lays out the rules for shipping on carrying audible signals (a horn, bell or whistle) and how sound signals should be used. In addition to our plastic air horn and fancy brass horn, we have a lovely brass ships bell that we found in an antique shop on the quay at Topsham.

A row of boats in the marina, Jubilee weekend

There are two types of blast used in signalling, short at about 1 second and prolonged at 4-6 seconds. Signals are a recognised combination of long and short blasts. As well as communicating intentions such as 'I am turning to starboard (right)' or 'I am going astern (backwards)' they can also give information such as 'I am in a restricted channel'. 5 short blasts is commonly known as the 'what are you doing?' signal and is more correctly used to indicate 'I am unsure of your intentions' when two vessels are at risk of collision and clear avoiding action is not being taken. Further signals are used in fog to indicate the position, size and propulsion of a vessel and involves a repeating pattern of blasts every 2 minutes. This signal can sometimes cause confusion to people hearing the noise on land. The Reeds Skippers Handbook by Malcom Pearson (not surprisingly published by Adlard Coles) is one of the best books for quick reference for sail and power vessels and handy to keep easily accessible when onboard rather than trying to remember all the different signals.

Sound signals

As a sea faring nation it was fitting that the maritime community was invited to give this salute to the Queen and a lovely moment as the noise echoed around Plymouth Sound. It was great knowing that this was repeated all round the coast of Britain, uniting Naval, Merchant and pleasure vessels across sea areas and encompassing coastal towns and villages in a wave of sound.