Rule 24. Towing and pushing

Two masthead lights in a vertical line instead of one, plus sidelights, sternlight and a yellow towing light above the sternlight.

Set

Two masthead lights in a vertical line, sidelights, white sternlight, yellow towing light directly above it.

Tell

From astern you see two lights in a column: yellow on top, white below. There is something on a wire behind her.

Danger

A tow wire runs between the towing and towed vessel. Never pass between them.

In fog

One prolonged and two short blasts. The tow answers with one prolonged and three short.

From 50 m

From 50 m a towing vessel also carries the second masthead light of rule 23 (a) (ii), so there is one white light more.

Three masthead lights in a vertical line and a diamond shape by day. The length of tow is measured from the stern of the towing vessel to the after end of the tow.

Set

Three masthead lights in a vertical line, sidelights, sternlight, yellow towing light. Diamond by day.

Tell

Three white lights in a column: a very long tow, give it a wide berth.

Shape

The diamond is shown by both the towing and the towed vessel.

From 50 m

From 50 m one more masthead light is added under rule 23 (a) (ii).

Two masthead lights in a vertical line, sidelights and a sternlight. No yellow towing light: that is what separates her from towing on a wire.

Set

Two masthead lights, sidelights, sternlight. No yellow towing light.

Tell

Two whites in a column but no yellow from astern: the unit is rigid or alongside, no wire between.

Composite unit

If the pushing and pushed vessels are rigidly connected they count as one power-driven vessel and show the lights of rule 23.

From 50 m

From 50 m one more masthead light is added under rule 23 (a) (ii).

Sidelights and a sternlight, no masthead lights. A diamond by day if the tow is longer than 200 m.

Set

Green and red sidelights, white sternlight.

Tell

Sidelights with no masthead light, just like a sailing vessel. Look ahead of her for a towing vessel with two whites in a column.

In fog

One prolonged and three short blasts, right after the towing vessel's signal, if she is manned.

A vessel being pushed ahead shows sidelights at the forward end. A vessel towed alongside shows sidelights forward and a sternlight.

Set

Sidelights at the forward end. A sternlight only when towed alongside.

Rule

Any number of vessels being towed alongside or pushed in a group are lighted as one vessel.

All-round white lights at the ends: from 25 m in breadth two more at the sides, and over 100 m in length enough lights so that the gap between them is never more than 100 m.

Set

All-round whites at the forward and after ends (a dracone need not show the forward one), two more at the outer edges from 25 m in breadth, and over 100 m in length spaced so the gap never exceeds 100 m.

Tell

A chain of low white lights just above the water with no sidelights and no masthead light: an almost invisible object under tow.

Shape

A diamond at the after end of the last object, plus another one forward if the tow exceeds 200 m.