33 CFR § 83.32 - Definitions (Rule 32).

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t33/s83.32"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "33 CFR § 83.32 - Definitions (Rule 32)."
title_number: 33
title_name: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
section_number: "83.32"
section_name: "Definitions (Rule 32)."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "E"
subchapter_name: "INLAND NAVIGATION RULES"
part_number: "83"
part_name: "NAVIGATION RULES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "33 U.S.C. 2071; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.3."
regulatory_source: "USCG-2012-0102, 79 FR 37912, July 2, 2014, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "83"
---


# 83.32 Definitions (Rule 32).

(a) The word *whistle* means any sound signaling appliance capable of producing the prescribed blasts and which complies with specifications in Annex III to these Rules (33 CFR part 86).

(b) The term *short blast* means a blast of about 1 second's duration.

(c) The term *prolonged blast* means a blast of from 4 to 6 seconds' duration.