What is the primary purpose of using a fog horn?

The primary purpose of using a fog horn is to prevent collisions. In conditions of low visibility, such as fog, a fog horn emits a loud sound to alert other vessels of a ship’s presence and location. This is crucial for safety, as it helps ensure that vessels can navigate safely in close proximity to each other and avoid accidents.

While signaling distress, warning of obstacles, and indicating vessel movement are important functions of various sound signals and devices, the specific design and use of a fog horn focus on preventing collisions. It serves as a means of communication among vessels to increase situational awareness when visual signals are compromised. Thus, the fog horn plays a vital role in maritime safety by enabling crews to make informed decisions and take necessary precautions to avoid potential hazards at sea.