BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A towing vessel is towing two barges astern. The length of the tow from the stern of the tug to the stern of the last barge is 250 meters. The towing vessel is 45 meters in length. How many white masthead lights should be displayed on the tugboat at night?
• Rule 24 – Towing and Pushing in the Navigation Rules • Difference between length of the towing vessel and length of the tow • Special masthead light requirements when the tow exceeds 200 meters
• First, decide if this is a simple power‑driven vessel underway, or a vessel engaged in towing under Rule 24 – which rule really applies here? • Look carefully: which length matters for the number of masthead lights – the 45 m tug, the 250 m tow, or some combination? • Ask yourself: what extra signal is required when the tow length crosses a specific distance threshold, and how is that shown in masthead lights?
• Verify in Rule 24 how many white masthead lights are required for a vessel towing astern under 200 m vs over 200 m of tow length. • Confirm that the tow length is measured from the stern of the tug to the stern of the last barge, not just the tug’s length. • Make sure you are counting only the white masthead lights on the tug, not sidelights, sternlight, or towing light.
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