33 CFR § 86.02 - Bell or gong.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t33/s86.02"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "33 CFR § 86.02 - Bell or gong."
title_number: 33
title_name: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
section_number: "86.02"
section_name: "Bell or gong."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "E"
subchapter_name: "INLAND NAVIGATION RULES"
part_number: "86"
part_name: "ANNEX III: TECHNICAL DETAILS OF SOUND SIGNAL APPLIANCES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "Sec. 303, Pub. L. 108-293, 118 Stat. 1042 (33 U.S.C. 2071); Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1."
regulatory_source: "79 FR 37924, July 2, 2014, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "86"
---


# 86.02 Bell or gong.

(a) *Intensity of signal.* A bell or gong, or other device having similar sound characteristics shall produce a sound pressure level of not less than 110 dB at 1 meter.

(b) *Construction.* Bells and gongs shall be made of corrosion-resistant material and designed to give clear tone. The diameter of the mouth of the bell shall be not less than 300 mm for vessels of 20 meters or more in length. Where practicable, a power-driven bell striker is recommended to ensure constant force but manual operation shall be possible. The mass of the striker shall be not less than 3 percent of the mass of the bell.