Why Sydney ferries were forced to use giant horns

A closer look

Before strict maritime regulations, morning commutes frequently involved playing bumper cars with multi-ton ships. In the early 20th century, the heavy fog in Sydney Harbour resulted in commuter ferries relentlessly smashing into each other because they couldn't see ten feet ahead. The government finally mandated steam whistles so loud they rattled the windows of onshore buildings, choosing mass noise pollution over continuous watery graves.