Sailing In The Fog

Sailing in the fog is one of the scariest things to do.  Distances are difficult to determine.  Sounds seem to come from unexpected directions.  Sometimes you can hear engine noises from boats that seem to be way too close for comfort.  And, the only way to know what direction your boat is heading is with the compass.  Hopefully, you have a compass and it is in good working order.

Whenever I've been in fog while sailing in salt water, the boats are all sounding fog horns.  Oddly, I've never heard a fog horn while sailing on a fresh water lake.  Do you have a fog horn on your boat?  If your fog horn is one of those little horns with the compressed gas canister - - the gas doesn't last for very long.  When the gas runs out, the fog horn stops signalling.  Several years ago I bought a SOLAS lung powered fog horn.  All I have to do is blow into the fog horn and a loud blast sounds.  

What is the proper signal for sounding your fog horn?  You should know the signals... they could save your bacon some day.  Here they are:  
Sailboats (sailing) and fishing vessels sound one long and two short blasts every two minutes while underway.
Powerboats (including sailboats while motoring) sound one long blast every two minutes.
A powerboat stopped sounds two long blasts every two minutes.
A vessel in tow sounds one long and three short blasts soon after the towing boats makes its fog signal.
And, deep draft vessels with maneuvering difficulty sound one long and two short blasts every two minutes.
An anchored vessel (any vessel) shorter than 328 feet long sounds a bell rapidly for five seconds every minute.  The anchored vessel might also sound her horn with one short blast followed by one long blast followed by one short blast at intervals to alert approaching vessels.
If you are aground in the fog, ring your bell three distinct times followed by five seconds of rapid ringing every minute.  You might also sound your horn with Morse code letter "F" (short-short-long-short) which means; "I am disabled; communicate with me".   Or Morse code letter "U" (short-short-long) meaning; "You are running into danger".... or "V" (3 shorts and a long) meaning; "I require assistance".

The first sign of fog building is often the disappearance of the coast or land.  If there is no time to put in to a harbor or marina, you must immediately determine your position and mark it on your chart.  Then determine the safest place to wait for the fog to clear.  AND, determine the correct compass course to reach that safe place.  Post a lookout at the bow and insure that the lookout is alert continuously - - whether your are underway or at anchor.

Avoid shipping channels; and anchor close to shore where larger vessels probably won't go because of their restricted draft.  If you cannot anchor, proceed slowly and be ready to take evasive action with little warning.