Rule 35(b) · Restricted visibility

Power-driven vessel underway but stopped (fog)

Two prolonged blasts, about 2 seconds apart, every 2 minutes — underway but stopped and making no way through the water.

every 2 minutes

You hear: 1 prolonged blast, then about 2 seconds of silence, then 1 prolonged blast.

Meaning

“A power-driven vessel underway but stopped and making no way through the water shall sound at intervals of not more than 2 minutes two prolonged blasts in succession with an interval of about 2 seconds between them.” Underway just means not anchored, made fast, or aground — a drifting ship is still underway.

Key facts

Sounded by
Power-driven vessel underway but stopped, making no way through the water
Repeated
every 2 minutes
Applies under
International & US Inland
Notation
— —

The vessels that sound this signal also show specific lights and day shapes.

Lights & Shapes

Source: Rule 35(b) — USCG Navigation Rules (International & Inland)

Rule text is reproduced from the public-domain USCG Navigation Rules. Audio is synthesized to Rule 32 timings.