In reply to jonny taylor:
> > - The coastguard says the ship was in fact using that signal to indicate something that was not a "general alarm"
> - I think it is bizarre that that signal has more than one use.
It doesn't.
What makes you think the person in a coastguard control room knows much about sailing? Sure, they'll know how to monitor channel 16 etc, but I doubt they all know sound signals. For the record:
1 blast = I'm turning starboard
2 blast = turning port
3 blasts = going astern
5 blasts = I don't know your intentions (I.E. wake the f*ck up)
1 long blast = going into a blind bend
there are others for overtaking too.