Rules of the Road · Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone

Under the Inland Rules and Bridge-to-Bridge Act, if VHF communication is established and a passing agreement is reached, may whistle signals be omitted?

Explanation

Inland Rule 34(h) states that a vessel which reaches agreement with another vessel by radiotelephone is not obligated to sound the whistle signals prescribed by Rule 34, though she may. If agreement is NOT reached, whistle signals must be exchanged and prevail. This applies on U.S. inland waters generally — it is not limited to the Great Lakes or Western Rivers.

Authority: Inland Rule 34(h)

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