How many bells are struck when permission is given to strike the 12 o'clock bells in-port?

When giving permission to strike the 12 o'clock bells while in-port, the correct response is indeed to strike 8 bells. In naval tradition, the ringing of bells denotes the passage of time, with each bell representing a half hour. By the time the clock strikes 12 o'clock, a total of 8 bells have been rung, as the tradition recognizes time in 30-minute increments, resulting in 8 bells marking the completion of a 4-hour period from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

This practice provides an auditory signal to those on board and in the vicinity, ensuring that the ship's crew and any nearby personnel are aware of the time, which is important for maintaining schedules and duties in a naval setting. It's a customary practice that emphasizes the importance of timekeeping in naval operations.