GL: Whistle signals matter.

[Ken Bloomfield]

Much has been said about beating a point to death, so I was reluctant to 
repost on the topic.  However, to me it is so important that everyone 
understand this that I am having one more go at it.  It seemed to me the 
easiest way is to post an off-list debate that I have been having, as an 
example of what concerns me.  For some time now I have been trying to simply 
make a few basic points:

1.  Whistle signals are important to understand.  Folks have posted several 
good posts to back this up.

2.  There is no "my one whistle" or "his one whistle", -- one whistle is one 
whistle. No ambiguity. Doesn't matter who first said it. Same for the two.

3.  I am NOT trying to discourage radio contact that reaches an agreement on 
someones port or starboard side as long as there is no uncertaintly as to 
who'se side is being referred to.  Point is simply that you may very well 
have to deal with whistle signals and you better understand them or not be 
on the water.  Roger Lalonde/Auxilliary made the good point that at the end 
of the day understanding and agreement are the goals.

So, here is the debate, where the comment marked DEBATOR are those of my 
worthy debator, and the "KEN" response is me:

DEBATOR --- I recommend that you talk to your 6-Pack instructor again.  It 
does
> make a difference who has sounded the One whistle or the Two
> whistle.  The person initiating the intended maneuver is telling the
> other vessel that HE intends to pass or overtake the Other vessel on
> his Port (ONE) OR Starboard (TWO).  I have no problem with using the
> terms One whistle or Two whistle, what I have a problem with is using
> the phrase "see ya on da One (or Two).
KEN --- I am not sure why you have a problem with this terminology, as it 
does seem clear to me that he means "on the one whistle or "on the two 
whistles".  Perhaps the grammar and pronunciation is poor, but in my mind 
there is no doubt about the fact that he is referring to whistle signals.
>
DEBATOR --- Your diagram is correct if the YOU boat sounds the First Horn 
Signal
> because in each case on the One Whistle the YOU vessel is passing the
> other boat (TOW) on the YOU boat's Port,  Likewise the YOU boat is
> passing the other boat (TOW) on the YOU boat's Starboard side.
KEN --- You have really got me perplexed on this one.  The whole idea of the 
whistle signal approach is to get rid of the "YOU boat" and/or the "TOW 
boat".  However, you do seem to agree with this one when I get on the VHF 
and I say "Tow Captain of the Bearcat, this is Tellico Lady overtaking, I 
would like to pass you on the two whistles" so I won't belabor the point.
>
DEBATOR ---If the TOW boat sounded the First Horn Signal in each case the 
TOW
> boat should be passing the other boat (YOU) on the TOW boat's Port.
> Likewise the TOW boat should be passing the other boat (YOU) on the
> TOW boat's Starboard side.
KEN --- OK, you have repeatedly reminded me about the hearing issue (with 
which I never disagreed) so let's start off by saykng this is a VHF contact 
to keep both of us happy (although if I can hear his whistle it still is the 
same, and in my boat I likely can as I am pretty quiet and his whistle is 
strong).  Now -- first of all, he won't 'tell me what to do' as he has no 
authority to do so, what he will normally say is "Pleasure vessel Tellico 
Lady, this is Bearcat, I am going to be sliding going into this turn, so I 
suggest you make a one whistle pass" and if I agree, I confirm that and then 
I change to the one whistle pass.  However, my point is that when he 
mentions one whistle pass, it is absolutely no different than if I had 
suggested first of all a one whistle pass.  Again, one whistle is one 
whistle. No difference if he says it or I say it.
>
DEBATOR --- You simply can't hear One Whistle and automatically steer to the
> right and pass the other vessel on your Port Side and vice versa for
> Two Whistles!
KEN --- I am not sure what point you are making here.  If the point is the 
one about hearing again, I will agree -- VHF only please.  If your point is 
that one doesn't simply blindly without consideration execute a suggested 
but bad idea -- I also agree.   But, if you are trying to say that there is 
a pass condition where the agreed upon protocol is one whistle and you look 
out your starboard window and see the boat you are passing, you have just 
busted the rule book.
>
DEBATOR --- Again, please ask your instructor about passing on the same side 
Your
> Port for ONE Whistle and Starboard for TWO Whistles in EVERY CASE
> regardless of who blows the Whistle or Horn!
KEN --- I will, and I suggest you do as well.  Also, I suggest you read the 
Navigation rules link that I previously posted.  You are basically saying 
the Coast Guard doesn't know what it is talking about.

Ken.