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- Ships keep to the right and pass to the
right in shipping lanes with certain exceptions.
- Ship whistles: In certain circumstances
or crowded lanes, ships use their whistles (horns) as directional
signals. If a ship is passing another vessel, it gives a single
blast on its horn, which means it is turning to starboard.
Two blasts signals a turn to port. The other ship acknowledges
by repeating the same whistle or horn blast
- Ship whistles are also sounded when in
port signaling the various stages in the preparation to depart,
such as warning signal that it is time for visitors to depart
the vessel. Usually three blasts are given as the ship slides
out of its berth. When the pilot of the vessel disembarks
from the vessel at the entrance to the harbor, a short blast
is given as well. Ship whistles are also sounded in emergency
situations, such as the signal for passengers to go to their
designated boat stations.
- Navigational running lights are used at
night: green for starboard; red for port; plus two white lights
on the mast. The forward light is lower than the aft one.
- Flags and pennants are displayed for identification.
Cruise lines display their emblems on ship’s funnels. Each
time a country is visited, its national flag is flown along
with the ship’s flag of registry (often a different country
from which the ship is from). Upon entering a harbor, the
ship flies a special flag to request a pilot (vertical blue
and white striped) while a half-red, half white flag divided
vertically, indicates that a pilot is on board the vessel.
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