What is the meaning of 7 short and 1 long ship horn blast?

There is no standard maritime code that uses 7 short and 1 long ship horn blasts.

Here's why it's important to know the official codes:

* Safety: Ship horn signals are used to communicate intentions and avoid collisions. Using unofficial signals could lead to confusion and accidents.

* International Regulation: The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) set out the standard signals for vessels.

Here are some common ship horn signal meanings:

* One prolonged blast: Warning signal (e.g., when approaching a bend in a narrow channel)

* Two short blasts: Passing port to port

* Three short blasts: Passing starboard to starboard

* Five short blasts: Vessel maneuvering with difficulty

* One long blast followed by two short blasts: Vessel restricted in ability to maneuver

If you need to understand a specific ship horn signal, it's always best to consult the COLREGs or a maritime expert.