For vessels 26 to 40 feet long, when is a portable horn permitted?

For vessels 26 to 40 feet long, when is a portable horn permitted?

• A. Installed, and portable under 39 allowed
• B. Portable horns allowed if less than 39 inches
• C. Installed only
• D. Not required

Answer: (A)

For vessels in the 26–40 ft range, you must have a sound signaling device available. The rule allows either a permanently installed horn or a portable horn, as long as the portable unit is under 39 inches in length. This gives flexibility: you can meet the requirement with a fixed horn or with a compact portable horn that’s easy to store and use. If the device is longer than 39 inches, it wouldn’t qualify as portable, so the portable option wouldn’t apply. The installed horn option remains valid on its own, and the portable-under-39 option is an acceptable alternative, which is why that combined phrasing fits best. The other choices don’t reflect both permissible forms or correctly state that signaling is required.

For vessels in the 26–40 ft range, you must have a sound signaling device available. The rule allows either a permanently installed horn or a portable horn, as long as the portable unit is under 39 inches in length. This gives flexibility: you can meet the requirement with a fixed horn or with a compact portable horn that’s easy to store and use. If the device is longer than 39 inches, it wouldn’t qualify as portable, so the portable option wouldn’t apply. The installed horn option remains valid on its own, and the portable-under-39 option is an acceptable alternative, which is why that combined phrasing fits best. The other choices don’t reflect both permissible forms or correctly state that signaling is required.