93040 Equipment Failure, Whistle

 Whistle Test
- American Coast.
- Report No. 93040.

I pilot many types and sizes of vessels, the largest being in excess of 200,000 dwt. After boarding the vessel, as soon as the opportunity allows, I ask to see the switch, button or lever used to sound the whistle. I then test the whistle. On 27 (8%) of the vessels which I piloted last year the whistle failed to sound when tested. The personnel on the bridge would then take steps to correct the situation. These steps ranged from turning a switch somewhere in the wheelhouse to enable the other device to operate the whistle, to contacting the engine room to provide steam or air to the whistle. Had I not tested the whistle it would not have been available for immediate use in the normal course of navigation or in an emergency. On 8 of the 27 occasions (2%) the vessel's personnel were unable to activate any mechanism capable of sounding the whistle.

On inbound vessels the failures may have been due to an oversight occurring after a long sea passage, however, some of the vessels were outbound and had been underway on the river for several hours. Although I make a practice of testing the whistle myself, I do not feel that it is my responsibility to confirm the operational ability of the vessel's equipment. Such tests should be performed along with the other required tests prior to entering coastal waters, or before getting underway.