Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 09-01-2018, 07:22 PM   #1
TF Site Team
 
FlyWright's Avatar
 
City: California Delta
Vessel Name: FlyWright
Vessel Model: 1977 Marshall Californian 34 LRC
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 13,728
Who uses a fog horn in the fog?

Another thread about radar use had me thinking about low vis ops. I run a Fog-mate fog horn in low vis but I usually only hear fog signals from commercial vessels. There are often MANY recreational angler boats in the vicinity but I never recall hearing one from them.

Do you have an automated fog horn signaling device on your boat? If so, do you use it regularly in low visibility conditions? Is it a radio function over a loud speaker on the bow or does it involve the use of your vessel's horn system?

If not, do you just estimate the timing and sound your horn about every 2 minutes?

Do you notice many other boats in the fog using their fog horns?

Sometimes I wonder, "Is it just me?"
__________________
My boat is my ark. It's my mobile treehouse and my floating fishing cabin. It's my retreat and my respite. Everyday I thank God I have a boat! -Al FJB

@DeltaBridges - 25 Delta Bridges in 25 Days
FlyWright is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-01-2018, 07:29 PM   #2
Guru
 
High Wire's Avatar
 
City: Cape May, NJ
Vessel Name: Irish Lady
Vessel Model: Monk 36
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,965
Just added PA/Fog speaker to my S/H GX2200 this past winter but no fog around. But I do now use my “anchor “ ball. Keep forgetting to take it down when leaving though!!! Nobody and I mean nobody cares.
__________________
Archie
Irish Lady
1984 Monk 36 Hull #46
Currently in Cape May, NJ
High Wire is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 09-01-2018, 07:35 PM   #3
Master and Commander
 
markpierce's Avatar
 
City: Vallejo CA
Vessel Name: Carquinez Coot
Vessel Model: penultimate Seahorse Marine Coot hull #6
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 12,559
It's rarely I've boated in fog where visibility was less than the range of my horns although my air-powered horns have twice the required range (requiring four times the volume) for the boat's size. And yes, do use it when visibility is obscured, and do have a device that gives the required signals when turned on.

And yes, don't recall other boaters sounding. Believe it is worse with sailboats (and "lesser" vessels) since they are usually limited to lung power or low-capacity, hand-held horns, or none at all.
__________________
Kar-KEEN-ez Koot
markpierce is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-01-2018, 07:37 PM   #4
Master and Commander
 
markpierce's Avatar
 
City: Vallejo CA
Vessel Name: Carquinez Coot
Vessel Model: penultimate Seahorse Marine Coot hull #6
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 12,559
Quote:
Originally Posted by High Wire View Post
Just added PA/Fog speaker to my S/H GX2200 this past winter but no fog around. But I do now use my “anchor “ ball. Keep forgetting to take it down when leaving though!!! Nobody and I mean nobody cares.
Your attorney should care.

But then, that's a different topic.
Attached Thumbnails
IMG_2024_zpspht0ausq.jpg  
__________________
Kar-KEEN-ez Koot
markpierce is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-01-2018, 07:48 PM   #5
Guru
 
psneeld's Avatar
 
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,149
I use my automated fog horn as required...with the exception of narrow ICW residential stretches where it would be more annoyance than real help.
psneeld is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 09-01-2018, 08:14 PM   #6
Guru
 
AlaskaProf's Avatar
 
City: Tacoma, WA & Ashland, OR
Vessel Name: boatless, ex: Seeadler
Vessel Model: RAWSON 41
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,234
Yes. I have one of the automated hailer/fog signal devices which I have used several times over the course of this summer, in visibilities as low as 1/8 mile. Never heard anyone else, but I'm not sure if that's a function of the other guy's horn/no horn or my own engine noise.

I do reduce speed during low vis ops, more to mprove my hearing than to reduce collision damage.

My device actually has an output volume control. Damm if I know why.
AlaskaProf is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 09-01-2018, 08:17 PM   #7
Master and Commander
 
markpierce's Avatar
 
City: Vallejo CA
Vessel Name: Carquinez Coot
Vessel Model: penultimate Seahorse Marine Coot hull #6
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 12,559
Quote:
Originally Posted by psneeld View Post
I use my automated fog horn as required...with the exception of narrow ICW residential stretches where it would be more annoyance than real help.
You are depriving the residences of the maritime experience. They paid for it: give it to them.
__________________
Kar-KEEN-ez Koot
markpierce is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-01-2018, 08:17 PM   #8
Guru
 
kchace's Avatar
 
City: Brookline, NH
Vessel Name: Shalloway
Vessel Model: Defever 44, twin Perkins
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,260
I always use our automated fog horn when the fog is thick.
kchace is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-01-2018, 08:20 PM   #9
Master and Commander
 
markpierce's Avatar
 
City: Vallejo CA
Vessel Name: Carquinez Coot
Vessel Model: penultimate Seahorse Marine Coot hull #6
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 12,559
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlaskaProf View Post
...
I do reduce speed during low vis ops, more to mprove my hearing than to reduce collision damage. ...
Opening the pilothouse doors and even sticking one's head out helps
__________________
Kar-KEEN-ez Koot
markpierce is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-01-2018, 08:29 PM   #10
Guru
 
O C Diver's Avatar
 
City: Fort Myers, FL... Summers in the Great Lakes
Vessel Name: Slow Hand
Vessel Model: Cherubini Independence 45
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,834
I use an automated fog horn which is built into my Icom VHF radio, whenever conditions require it. I've been known to use a fair amount of volume. Kind of fun to watch on radar, the radarless center consoles fishing in the inlet, scatter when they here me coming.

Ted
__________________
Blog: mvslowhand.com
I'm tired of fast moves, I've got a slow groove, on my mind.....
I want to spend some time, Not come and go in a heated rush.....
"Slow Hand" by The Pointer Sisters
O C Diver is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-01-2018, 08:30 PM   #11
Moderator Emeritus
 
Comodave's Avatar
 
City: Au Gres, MI
Vessel Name: Black Dog
Vessel Model: Formula 41PC
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 21,187
We brought a previous boat down the west coast from Seattle to LA and were underway one time for 30 hours in very thick fog. Used the automated system the whole time. The horn got really old during that time period. We have a hailer on the current boat with front and rear facing horns hooked to the hailer so we can make the required signals.
Comodave is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-01-2018, 08:45 PM   #12
Master and Commander
 
markpierce's Avatar
 
City: Vallejo CA
Vessel Name: Carquinez Coot
Vessel Model: penultimate Seahorse Marine Coot hull #6
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 12,559
Quote:
Originally Posted by FlyWright View Post
...

Sometimes I wonder, "Is it just me?"
Or is it just us wanting to sound off our Kahlenberg air horns?
__________________
Kar-KEEN-ez Koot
markpierce is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-01-2018, 08:56 PM   #13
Guru
 
twistedtree's Avatar
 
City: Vermont
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 10,092
I use the automated sounder in the VHF. Then if in close proximity to other boats, I hit the big horn button while the VHF is sounding.
__________________
MVTanglewood.com
twistedtree is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-01-2018, 09:26 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
City: Seattle, WA
Vessel Model: Willard 47' Dover Trawler
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 125
I have a Fogmate connected to my Kahlenberg D2's. I love to turn them on in the fog. They sound a bit like those on a ferry or something else very large and I can see smaller boats on my radar scurrying out of my way!
SteveD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-01-2018, 09:30 PM   #15
TF Site Team
 
FlyWright's Avatar
 
City: California Delta
Vessel Name: FlyWright
Vessel Model: 1977 Marshall Californian 34 LRC
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 13,728
Quote:
Originally Posted by markpierce View Post
Or is it just us wanting to sound off our Kahlenberg air horns?
Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveD View Post
I have a Fogmate connected to my Kahlenberg D2's. I love to turn them on in the fog. They sound a bit like those on a ferry or something else very large and I can see smaller boats on my radar scurrying out of my way!
I like the way you guys think. I'd rather scare them away than hit them accidentally.
__________________
My boat is my ark. It's my mobile treehouse and my floating fishing cabin. It's my retreat and my respite. Everyday I thank God I have a boat! -Al FJB

@DeltaBridges - 25 Delta Bridges in 25 Days
FlyWright is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-01-2018, 10:31 PM   #16
Master and Commander
 
markpierce's Avatar
 
City: Vallejo CA
Vessel Name: Carquinez Coot
Vessel Model: penultimate Seahorse Marine Coot hull #6
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 12,559
Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveD View Post
I have a Fogmate connected to my Kahlenberg D2's. I love to turn them on in the fog. ...
Same here on the D2, particularly when it echoes off the hills and tall buildings. Also when entering and leaving the marina when the breakwater restricts visibility at other than high tide. Initial response from nearby liveaboards: "what the hell was that!")
__________________
Kar-KEEN-ez Koot
markpierce is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-01-2018, 10:37 PM   #17
Guru
 
AlaskaProf's Avatar
 
City: Tacoma, WA & Ashland, OR
Vessel Name: boatless, ex: Seeadler
Vessel Model: RAWSON 41
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,234
Quote:
Originally Posted by markpierce View Post
Opening the pilothouse doors and even sticking one's head out helps
Yup. Do that too. Still haven't heard another yacht or fisherman. Tugboats yes.
AlaskaProf is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 09-01-2018, 11:35 PM   #18
GFC
Guru
 
City: Tri Cities, WA
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,406
I did it once. Listening to that darned horn was the worst 10 seconds of my life. Just kidding. If I'm out in a very heavy fog I drop speed down to about 4-5kts and watch the radar like a hawk.
__________________
Mike and Tina
1981 Boston Whaler 13'
GFC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2018, 01:32 AM   #19
Guru
 
BandB's Avatar
 
City: Fort Lauderdale. Florida, USA
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 21,449
Very seldom out in heavy fog but do use it at those times. Have rarely observed other pleasure boats doing so. A couple of power boats, never a sailboat. Many commercial vessels doing so.
BandB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2018, 02:09 AM   #20
Guru
 
Lepke's Avatar
 
City: Between Oregon and Alaska
Vessel Name: Charlie Harper
Vessel Model: Wheeler Shipyard 83'
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,023
I use a horn from a ship, loud, so everyone but ships get out of the way. I have a random timer so it's not exactly 2 minutes (in case someone approaching is exactly on 2 minutes).
Lepke is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Trawler Port Captains
Port Captains are TF volunteers who can serve as local guides or assist with local arrangements and information. Search below to locate Port Captains near your destination. To learn more about this program read here: TF Port Captain Program





All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:42 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2006 - 2012