Email: If it ain't broke...

It ain't broke, so don't fix it! Why on earth change the internationally accepted sequence of sound signals as laid down in COLREG's? a.k.a. (The Merchant Shipping (Distress Signals and Prevention of Collisions) Regulations 1996.) These are internationally understood and apply to rivers and waterways whether tidal or otherwise. We don't need CaRT to rule what is right or wrong!

In particular, whenever a vessel is navigating without clear view around an obstruction and in a narrow channel, a single long blast on the whistle or horn should be made—and answered by any oncoming craft.

Collision prevention actions should then be taken. It never ceases to amaze me how fast, and without warning, boaters of all persuations career through blind bridge 'oles. For someone to realise that an oncoming boat is towing relies upon that someone to be concentrating and assessing the road ahead. A lot like driving a road vehicle?

Though how many times do we witness vehicles driving at speed towards humped canal bridges blowing their horns but not slowing down?

Kevin McNiff