24
Towing and Pushing
Vessels towing or pushing display additional masthead lights and a yellow towing light. Three masthead lights if tow exceeds 200m.
Rule 24 prescribes lights for towing and pushing operations.
a
A power-driven vessel when towing shall exhibit:
- 1Two masthead lights in a vertical line instead of the single forward masthead light. When the length of the tow exceeds 200 metres, three such lights in a vertical line
- 2Sidelights and sternlight
- 3A towing light (yellow) in a vertical line above the sternlight
- 4When the tow exceeds 200 metres, a diamond shape where it can best be seen
b
When a pushing vessel and a vessel being pushed ahead are rigidly connected in a composite unit they shall be regarded as a power-driven vessel and exhibit the lights prescribed in Rule 23.
Key Takeaways
1
Two masthead lights for normal tow, three if tow exceeds 200m
2
Yellow towing light shown above the sternlight
3
Diamond day shape if tow exceeds 200m
4
Composite units (rigidly connected) treated as one power-driven vessel
Common Mistakes
Not showing three masthead lights when tow exceeds 200m
Forgetting the diamond day shape for long tows
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