Why a power vessel making way requires no sound signal under COLREGs

Outline

• Hook: Sound signals are a mariner’s informal language; what does a ship “say” when it’s moving?

• Core idea: When a power vessel is making way, no sound signal is required.

• Why it matters: Understanding when signals are and aren’t needed prevents confusion in busy waters.

• Context: Other signals exist for anchoring or restricted visibility, but they don’t apply to a vessel simply moving through the water.

• Real-world feel: A few quick examples and a mental checklist to remember the rule.

• Quick tips: Simple memory aids to keep the concept straight.

• Closing thought: Navigation is a conversation with other vessels—knowing the rules keeps the chat clear.

Power on the move: what “making way” means in everyday water world

Let me explain it this way: navigating busy harbors and open seas is like a conversation. There are words, there are tones, and there are signals that help ships avoid tangling with each other. One line you’ll hear when a vessel is actively moving is… silence. Not the dramatic, “all hands on deck” kind of silence, but the practical absence of a formal sound signal. If a power-driven vessel is making way through the water, it does not have to broadcast a specific signal to tell nearby craft, “Hey, I’m here and I’m moving.” That’s what “making way” communicates in the rules of the road at sea.

The quiz question you’ll often encounter boils this down to a single, clear point: No sound signal is required. When a vessel is actively in motion, the COLREGs don’t mandate a bell sequence, a whistle pattern, or any other fixed auditory announcement to mark that movement. The assumption is simple: other mariners can observe the vessel’s course and speed, and the vessel itself is aware of its surroundings and able to maneuver. In other words, movement itself is the signal.

Why this distinction matters on the water

Think about it while you’re watching the river traffic at dawn or the long line of ships entering a busy port. If every vessel had to blare bells or blast whistles just because it’s moving, the air would be a constant chorus. That wouldn’t necessarily help anyone—often it would create noise that drowns out real alerts. So the rules leave room for quiet moving in many situations, relying on human sight and situational awareness plus the standard navigational expectations that come with speed, bearing, and proximity.

It’s worth noting that other sound signals do play a crucial role—but only in the contexts where the rules specify them. For example:

• Anchoring and certain restricted scenarios have prescribed sound sequences to convey specific intentions or conditions.

• When visibility is restricted, sound signals become a critical backup to help other vessels gauge your intent and position.

That said, these signals aren’t a blanket requirement for every situation. They’re situational tools, not a universal message for every movement.

A closer look at the “no signal” rule in practice

Let’s anchor this with a few real-world pictures (no pun intended). Picture a freighter gliding into a port channel, its engines steady, its course clear. There’s no bell tapping or whistle blowing just because it’s underway. Nearby fishing boats, channel markers, and the harbor pilot’s guidance build a shared understanding: the ship is moving, and others should monitor its speed and track. The rule is practical and human-readable: the ship’s movement itself becomes the information.

But as soon as the ship slows to starboard against a current, or if there’s a risk of collision, the situation shifts. Then, the crew may engage standard signals appropriate to that moment—signals defined for different conditions, not for “movement” itself. It’s a safety toolkit rather than a single, universal call.

Where to focus your attention, beyond the plain movement rule

If you’re studying COLREGs or simply trying to stay sharp on the water, here are a few mental anchors to keep handy:

• Movement ≠ signaling: When a vessel is making way, you don’t automatically expect a signal. Your eyes and situational awareness carry the load.

• Signals as situational tools: Use sound signals when the scenario calls for them—anchoring, restricted visibility, or special maneuvers. Those are the times the bells and whistles have a defined purpose.

• Don’t assume intent from sound alone: A lack of signal doesn’t mean a lack of intent. It means the rule allows movement to proceed without an auditory cue.

A few quick reminders that tie into the broader rules

• Rule awareness helps: Knowing when signals are required (and when they aren’t) reduces miscommunication. Think of it as listening for the right cues at the right moment.

• Visibility matters: In fog or heavy rain, signals—where used—play a more critical role. Even then, the rules anticipate that sound, light, and human judgment work together.

• Small boats, big boats: The same logic applies across vessel sizes, though the scale and speed can change how you respond. A small craft and a cargo ship both rely on the same core principle: act with caution and be predictable.

A memory aid that sticks without feeling like a test prep trick

Here’s a simple way to keep it straight without memorizing a dozen sequences:

• If a vessel is making way, expect no mandatory signal.

• If a vessel is not moving (anchored, aground, drifting), signals may apply to convey that status in appropriate contexts.

• When visibility is restricted or special maneuvers are planned, turn to the rulebook’s signals designed for those conditions.

Imagining the water like a living space

Waterways aren’t just lanes; they’re shared rooms with moving furniture. The silence of a vessel in motion can be as informative as a horn blast. It tells nearby boats, “I’m taking care to keep my line,” and it gives you the mental room to adjust. It’s almost a dance—your eyes track speed and bearing, the wind and current whisper in the steps, and the air carries a quiet, ordinary rhythm of nautical life.

A note on language and tone in the rules of the road

Sequences of bells or whistles aren’t random; they’re selected with purpose for particular conditions. The absence of a sound signal for a vessel making way is a deliberate choice that keeps the waters from becoming a symphony of noise. The key is to interpret signals and silence in the same framework: with attention, timing, and a shared sense of risk management.

Putting it into everyday practice (without turning it into a cram session)

• When you’re on a boat or near one, watch for the approach and speed of moving vessels. If a vessel is clearly advancing under its own power and not in a restricted-visibility context, you don’t expect them to sound a specific signal.

• If you’re near a vessel that’s stopping, changing course sharply, or entering a shallow area, be ready for the dedicated signals that communicate those intentions.

• If you’re unsure, err on the side of caution: reduce speed, increase vigilance, and keep a safe distance. It’s a practical way to apply the spirit of COLREGs in real life.

Closing thought: navigation as a shared conversation

The COLREGs aren’t a rulebook to memorize and recite like a poem. They’re a living system that helps people on ships read one another—whether in calm seas or gray fog. The idea that a power vessel making way doesn’t have to emit a sound signal is a reminder: sometimes movement itself is enough to convey intent. Other times, signals are essential to clear up confusion or to spell out a plan when conditions demand it.

As you’re out on the water or just picturing it in your mind, think of sound signals as a toolbox. The absence of one tool doesn’t mean you’re not communicating; it means you’re using the right tool for the moment. And when the moment calls for it, reach for the bell, reach for the whistle, or adjust your lights, just like you’d adjust your sails to the wind.

If you’d like, I can help you map out a quick, practical checklist for common scenarios—moving vessels, anchored boats, and restricted visibility—so you have a handy mental guide when you’re on the water. The goal isn’t to memorize a dozen sequences, but to understand when and why signals matter, and how to respond in a calm, confident way. After all, clear communication keeps everyone safer, and that’s what good seamanship is all about.