Ships bell

[jasonr575]

Have another question. A ships bell, where should it be located? I thought it should be in the cockpit where it can be rung such as in fog as instructed from coastguard regs. I often see pics of bells in the interior of a boat/ship. Why would these be mounted inside the cabin and is it proper to move the bell to outside when needed or do some ships have 2 bells?

[Idiens]

I think traditionally the ship's bell was used to signal the time on board, for watch changes, etc., so it needed to be where the crew could hear it. Nowadays, its often just decorative, as loudspeaker systems are used.

Yes the COLREGs require, or give the option, of using a bell in fog or for certain signals, but I think horns are used much more nowadays.

[sailingdog]

Actually, in Massachusetts, IIRC a ship's bell is a state requirement for boats over 26' LOA. That is what I was told during my Vessel Safety Check by the USCG Aux earlier this year.

[Nottoway]

Another use for the ship's bell in the cockpit is to call the watch below. The sound of a bell cuts through wave and engine noise better than the human voice.

Two strikes means "Please come on deck," repeated quick strikes mean "Get your *&#$ up here pronto!"

[denby]

jason, it's a state requirement for boats over 26 feet in Connecticut. It can be used for signals in place of a horn but a horn is better.

[sailortjk1]

How many of you actually use your ship's bell for its intended purposes?
Do you also have an hour glass on board?
Nowadays they are for the most part relegated to the roll of a cabin decoration, as Idiens has stated.

[Giulietta]

In my boat, I have 4 bells, one in each cabin, one in the sallon and one in the cockpit. make it 5....

They are all stollen form old European Churches, and we use them to warn other boats when in fog, by throwing them at the other boats.

I also have installed a big ass speaker, and every 15 minutes, I go on the speaker and shout:

"Now ear this...now ear this"...a la James Cagney.

One crew member threw my tree over board once....

[denby]

Originally Posted by Giulietta

In my boat, I have 4 bells, one in each cabin, one in the sallon and one in the cockpit. make it 5....

They are all stollen form old European Churches, and we use them to warn other boats when in fog, by throwing them at the other boats.

I also have installed a big ass speaker, and every 15 minutes, I go on the speaker and shout:

"Now ear this...now ear this"...a la James Cagney.

One crew member threw my tree over board once....

Alex, are you all right? Silly question.

[JohnRPollard]

Jason,

You often see the bells mounted belowdecks, but most boats that still use them for signalling also have a second mounting bracket in the cockpit area. They can be quickly moved from belowdecks and re-mounted topsides when needed.

[jasonr575]

i was asking because i has one given to me whith the boat i got the spring before last and still have not mounted it. and am going to do it soon for next year.
thanks for the imput and ideas and if i get enough bells i will start hucking them at shadows in the fog