Fog signals

Sound that carries

When fog drops visibility to nothing, the light is useless — so the coast falls back on sound. Horns, bells, and a few stubborn gongs.

The signals

horn       air-driven, up to 3 mi
bell       on buoys, rung by the swell
gong       deep, for big fairways
whistle    the oldest, still going

Why they matter

Fog is the most dangerous weather on the water — and the most beautiful. A good horn lets you steer by ear when your eyes are gone.