🔍 Key Concepts

• COLREGS/Navigation Rules – Lights and shapes for vessels being towed • Difference between towing vessel’s lights and tow/barges’ lights • Requirements for lights on unmanned barges in tow at night

💭 Think About

• Think about whether the rule cares if the barge is manned or unmanned, and whether the tow is alongside, astern, or pushing ahead. • Ask yourself: what is the safety concern for other vessels when approaching a tow at night—do they need to see just the tug, or the entire tow? • Consider whether the rule gives any blanket exemption for barges in tow from showing lights at night.

✅ Before You Answer

• Check what Navigation Rules say about vessels being towed and their sidelights and stern light at night. • Verify if there is any rule that says barges in tow need not be lighted under normal conditions at night. • Confirm whether the requirement to show lights depends on the barge being manned, or on the method of towing (astern vs alongside/pushing).