Horns & Whistles
Signal your intentions with a boat horn.
Horns are required on boats from 39 to 65 feet in length. Marine signal horns are used to indicate your intentions to other boaters (“I am turning to port”, “I am aground”.) There are several designs of signal horns. Handheld compressed gas horns consist of a canister of compressed gas that is attached to a small plastic trumpet. Capable of producing 119 decibels of sound, they work great for signaling your intentions—and are a blast (pun intended) at sporting events! Fixed-mount trumpet horns, like those seen on larger boats generate sound by releasing compressed air, or in some cases by electronic means. One interesting handheld horn is the EcoBlast™ Rechargeable Signal Air Horn. Instead of relying on a disposable canister of compressed gas, it can be refilled with compressed air using a bicycle pump. For personal use, a boat whistle is more effective than yelling when you need help. Although they are not required, all boats should carry whistles and they should be a part of every crewmember’s personal safety gear.