Colreg Signaling Devices

[ontherocks83]

Sooooo.... I was reading through the colregs just for fun and saw this section about signaling devices.

The signaling device in the top right corner caught my eye as intriguing.

Figured I would put it out there (and no its not to start a gun debate) I just want to ask if anyone knows of a conflicting rule somewhere that negates having the gun on board as a signaling device?

Should a gun on board come into question couldn't you claim it is for emergency signaling?

Obviously local laws have to be followed as far as gun ownership is concerned but where does this reg fall into to the realm of things?

Has anyone known of someone using a gun to signal distress?

Rule 37:

When a vessel is in distress and requires assistance she shall use or exhibit the signals described in Annex IV [ to | of ] these Rules.
Rule 37
Distress Signals 72 COLREGS

[CaptTom]

Tell you what, why not use the one to the left of the gun on that graphic?

I wanted to get my $.02 in before this degenerated the way all gun threads do

[ontherocks83]

That would definitely make you more visible

[DoubleWhisky]

It is just common mistake
The picture is showing unproper kind of gun.
The COLREGS obviously mean the proper ship gun, cast bronze or cast iron, wooden carriage and four wheels
By the way - happy is the carrying of the barrell of tar for signalling purposes is not obligatory...

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by CaptTom

Tell you what, why not use the one to the left of the gun on that graphic?

I wanted to get my $.02 in before this degenerated the way all gun threads do

Worked on the movie All is Lost didn't it

[markpierce]

A signal cannon would be more effective than a gun. Shoot the cannon in sets of three firings.

[ontherocks83]

The signal cannon would be a great way to convince someone you have the right of way.

[DoubleWhisky]

Originally Posted by ontherocks83

The signal cannon would be a great way to convince someone you have the right of way.

Hmmm....
How much of a boat You need for proper 24 pounder ? ? ?

[hellosailor]

"I just want to ask if anyone knows of a conflicting rule somewhere that negates having the gun on board as a signaling device? "

Rules restricting firearm use don't come from COLREGS, so technically, there would be no rules negating the use of guns. Only rules making that use locally inadvisable or illegal. And besides, every gun owner can tell you that the cost of ammunition for anything larger than a peashooter is higher than the cost of proper pyrotechnics.

If all you've got from that long list is a "gun", and you can figure out where to safely point it and shoot it, once a minute every minute, good luck to you.

[ontherocks83]

Originally Posted by hellosailor

If all you've got from that long list is a "gun", and you can figure out where to safely point it and shoot it, once a minute every minute, good luck to you.

It was just the one that seemed the most entertaining of the devices listed.

I do like Doublewhisky's idea though. A 24 pounder on the bow would be a nice focal point and conversation piece.

[Steve Bean]

I don't think you'd get very far justifying carrying a gun as a signaling device unless maybe you had no ammunition except blanks. Maybe...

[ontherocks83]

Originally Posted by Steve Bean

I don't think you'd get very far justifying carrying a gun as a signaling device unless maybe you had no ammunition except blanks. Maybe...

ahhh but what about tracer rounds? That covers audible and visual in one device. See it's not only effective but also economical and compact

[Steve Bean]

A tracer has a projectile; a blank doesn't.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[ontherocks83]

Originally Posted by Steve Bean

A tracer has a projectile; a blank doesn't.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

Thanks for clarifying. I wasnt sure if it was a projectile or a laser beam.