Final answer:
To overtake another vessel on the water, you would use one short blast to pass on the starboard side or two short blasts to pass on the port side, according to maritime navigation rules. These sound signals are similar in purpose to the Doppler shift observed in the siren of an ambulance, which informs drivers when to let the ambulance through.
Step-by-step explanation:
In maritime navigation, when you wish to overtake another vessel, you would use a specific sound signal to indicate your intentions. On the water, the signal for overtaking, according to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), consists of one short blast to overtake on the starboard side and two short blasts to overtake on the port side. These signals are used in circumstances where you need to communicate your maneuvering intentions to nearby vessels to prevent collisions and ensure safe passage.
For example, if you are behind another vessel and wish to pass it on its starboard side, you would sound one short blast. The vessel being overtaken would then acknowledge the signal if it agrees to the maneuver. This is analogous to hearing a Doppler shift in the siren of an ambulance, which alerts you to its approach or recession and prompts you to pull over, allowing it to pass safely. In both cases, the change in sound frequency due to the Doppler effect, or a distinct sound pattern, help to coordinate safe movement among moving entities.