Bells and gongs are primarily used by vessels that are what?

Bells and gongs serve a crucial role in maritime communication, particularly for vessels at anchor. This is due to the need for vessels to signal their presence and provide warnings to other nearby vessels and for navigation purposes. When a ship is at anchor, it may be less visible or mobile, potentially causing situations where other vessels could inadvertently come too close.

Using bells and gongs ensures that there is an audible warning to alert other vessels of the anchored ship's presence. These sounds help to avoid collisions and maintain safety in waterways, especially in crowded or restricted areas. This practice is in line with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS), which outline the sound signaling devices to be used under specific circumstances to ensure safe navigation.

Vessels that are under power, under sail, or in dry dock have different signaling requirements that pertain to their operational status and, most of the time, rely on different signals or visual communications. Thus, the use of bells and gongs is specifically associated with anchored vessels.