Sound signalling Resources

Recreational Craft Directive and sound signal requirements

The Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) has been in force across the European Union since 6 June 1998 and is compulsory for almost all new leisure craft measuring between 2.5m-24m.

Compliant vessels carry a CE Mark on a mandatory plate.

Despite covering many aspects of boat construction the RCD has no specific requirements for horns, whistles or bells.

In order to get clarity around the RCD and marine air horns and sound signals our sister company, Kahlenberg UK, has been in touch with Jan Mayerhöfer, Policy Officer for the Recreational Craft Directive at the European Commission. He clarifies that all craft CE-marked under the RCD still have to comply with the IMO ColRegs requirements for marine sound signals.

Read the Kahlenberg guideline The Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) and Sound Signals here.

Marine sound signals: the law clarified

All leisure, commercial and military vessels in estuary, coastal and offshore waters must conform to the IMO International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (the COLREGs). Compliance with the COLREGs is enshrined in the national laws of nearly every country worldwide.

"The COLREGs apply to all vessels, there is no differentiation between coded and non-coded vessels," Steve Austin, Senior Policy Lead at the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) stated. "Should the whistles (horns) prove not to conform then they will need to be modified or changed. Whistles should conform to the performance in COLREGs, Appendix III and the appropriate parts of IEC 60945 to EN60945 which deal with the marine operating environment."

The insurance company of your vessel is also likely to take the view that IMO compliance is essential to ensure cover.

For further information our sister company, Kahlenberg UK, has prepared a leaflet called Marine Sound Signals - The Law As It Applies To You (PDF download).

Sound signalling - safety instructions

Sound signals legally rated for use at sea generate high sound pressure levels. Their operation consequently requires commonsense and adherence to guidelines.

To assist you du Pré Marine's sister company Kahlenberg UK has prepared a guidance note on safe use of sound signals that are rated for the 1972 International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.

Safety advice for Kahlenberg horns is a 185kb pdf file.

Sound signalling - complying with ColRegs

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) 1972 International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, commonly referred to as the ColRegs, lays down specific requirements for sound-signalling equipment for use on boats and ships.

Kahlenberg air horns are certificated by the British MCA, the US Coast Guard and ABS among others as complying with the ColRegs.

It is a fact that the horns fitted to many craft are non-compliant. In addition to the obvious safety questions that this poses, owners and skippers also might be faced by additional issues such as whether they have invalidated their insurance cover.

ColRegs guidance note

To assist you du Pré Marine's sister company Kahlenberg UK has prepared a guidance note on the sound signal requirements of the 1972 International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.

IMO Requirements for sound signalling is a 168kb pdf file.

Further information

Call du Pré Marine now on +44 (0)1635 88 88 88 or email enquiries@dupremarine.co.uk

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