THE DRAFT AMENDMENTS TO RULE 33 AND RULE 35
OF INTERNATIONAL
REGULATIONS FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS AT SEA, 1972
1 Amend the Rule 33 of COLREGs as follows:
Rule 33
Equipment for sound signals
( a)
A vessel of 12 metres or more in length shall be
provided with a whistle and a bell, a vessel of 20 metres
or more in length shall be provided with a bell in
addition to a whistle and a vessel of 100 metres 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 specification 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 required signals
shall always be possible.
(b)
A vessel of less than 12 metres 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.
2 Amend the Rule 35 of COLREGs as follows:
Rule 35
Sound signals in restricted visibility
(a) - (e) existing regulation
(g)
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 metres 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.
(h)
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.
(h)-bis
A vessel of 12 metres or more but less than 20
metres in length shall not be obliged to give the
bell signals prescribed in paragraphs (g) and (h) of
this Rule. However, if she does not ,shall make some
other efficient sound signal at intervals of not more
than 2 minutes.
(i)
A vessel of less than 12 metres 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.
(j)
existing regulation
3 Amend the paragraph 2 of Annex III to COLREGs as
follows:
(a) intensity of the signals
A bell or gong, or other device having similar sound
characteristics shall produce a sound pressure level of
not less than 110 of dB at 1 metre from it.
(b) Construction
Bells and gongs shall be made of corrosion-resistant
material and designed to give a clear tone. The diameter
of the mouth of the bell shall be not less than 300 mm
for vesseis of 20 metres or more In length, and shall be
not less than 200 mm for vessels of 12 metres or more but
of less than 20 metres in length. Where practicable, a
power-driven bell striker is recommended to ensure
constant force but manual operation shall be possible.
The mass of the striker shall be not less than 3 per cent
of the mass of the bell.
