Why Are Cruise Ship Horns So Loud?

By Michael Ferguson

Cruise ships have been around for centuries, and their horns have been used to communicate between ships for even longer. But why are cruise ship horns so loud? There are a few key reasons why cruise ship horns need to be so loud.

Safety
Cruise ship horns are incredibly loud to ensure that other vessels in the area can hear them and take heed of their warnings. Cruise ships can travel at high speeds, and with many vessels on the water, it’s important that everyone is aware of each other’s location.

The sound of a horn travels across the water quickly and can be heard up to five miles away. This makes it easier for captains to avoid collisions or other mishaps while at sea.

Tradition
Cruise ships also use their horns as a way of maintaining maritime traditions that have been around for centuries. According to maritime law, every vessel must sound its horn as it approaches an area or passes another vessel on the water.

This ensures that all vessels in the area know each other’s location and can act accordingly. It’s also a sign of respect between captains, as they salute each other with their horns as they pass by one another on the open ocean.

Communication
Finally, cruise ship horns can also be used for communication between ships in the same fleet or port. Cruise ships often need to communicate with one another when they are in close proximity, and this is done via a system of coded horn blasts. Each code is unique and will indicate different messages such as “I am leaving port” or “I am entering an area where I am unfamiliar with my surroundings” which helps keep all vessels safe from potential accidents or disasters while out at sea.

Conclusion:
Cruise ship horns need to be loud in order to ensure safety, maintain maritime tradition, and provide communication between ships in the same fleet or port. By using these loud sounds, it allows captains to avoid collisions and mishaps while at sea while still respecting each other with long-standing maritime traditions like saluting one another as they pass by one another on the open ocean.