> Or, you could just learn and follow the existing rules. > That's not fair. I never said that existing rules shouldn't be followed. In fact, I wrote about how I review the whistle/signal protocols every few months just so I don't have to think about them (overtaking another vessel is always confusing in my opinion). I use my horn to make signals but I also NEVER rely on the signals because if you're out in recreational waters you'll find that few, if any, understand or acknowledge them properly. Maybe it's different in other places but from Maine through Key West I'd estimate that 80% of the recreational boats don't respond to whistle signals. Heck, 30% of boats don't respond to a VHF hailing (60% of sailboats in my experience along the ICW don't respond). Learning and following the rules is great but if no one else is doing it, you need to find another way. Getting someone on the VHF and saying, "let's pass on one" is just asking for a collision. It's much better to say, "let's pass port-to-port." ================================== Jeffrey Siegel M/V aCappella DeFever 53PH W1ACA/WDB4350 Castine, Maine www.activecaptain.com Content, Communications, Community Cruising blog to Abacos & Maine: http://mvacappella.blogspot.com