🔍 Key Concepts

• Rule 24 – Towing and Pushing (International & Inland Navigation Rules) • Difference between a power-driven vessel underway and a towing vessel light configuration • How tow length affects the number of masthead (towing) lights required

💭 Think About

• First, recall how many masthead lights a normal power-driven vessel of 20 meters or more shows when underway. Then ask: what extra lights are required for towing? • Ask yourself: at what tow length does the light configuration change from a short tow to a longer tow, and how does that change the number of white masthead towing lights? • Consider whether the question is asking about ALL lights, or only the white towing masthead lights, and how that wording affects your count.

✅ Before You Answer

• Verify in Rule 24 how many masthead lights are required for a vessel engaged in towing astern with a tow under 200 meters vs. 200 meters or more. • Check that you are counting only the white towing masthead lights in a vertical line, not sidelights, sternlight, or tow light. • Confirm that vessel length (20 m) does not change the tow-length thresholds, only the base requirement for having one or two masthead lights as a power-driven vessel.