Rules of the Road · Towing & Pushing
A vessel towing another astern where the tow does NOT exceed 200 meters shall show, in addition to sidelights and a sternlight:
- AThree masthead lights in a vertical line and a yellow towing light
- BOne masthead light and a yellow towing light above the sternlight
- CTwo masthead lights in a vertical line only
- DTwo masthead lights in a vertical line and a yellow towing light above the sternlight✓ Correct
Explanation
Rule 24(a) prescribes two masthead lights in a vertical line (forward), sidelights, sternlight, and a yellow towing light in a vertical line above the sternlight for tows of 200 meters or less. The yellow towing light distinguishes the tug from a vessel merely underway.
Authority: 72 COLREGS Rule 24(a)
Practice the full Rules of the Road bank
Free spaced-repetition quizzing across 2190 USCG exam questions — it schedules your reviews so the ones you miss come back until they stick.
Related Rules of the Road questions
- Towing & Pushing
A power-driven vessel towing another vessel where the length of tow exceeds 200 meters shall show how many masthead lights forward?
- Towing & Pushing
A vessel being TOWED astern at night shall show:
- Towing & Pushing
A vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside at night shall show, in addition to sidelights:
- Towing & Pushing
You observe a vessel at night displaying three white masthead lights in a vertical line, sidelights, a sternlight, and a yellow light above the sternlight. What does this indicate?
- Towing & Pushing
During daylight hours, a vessel towing another vessel where the length of tow exceeds 200 meters shall display:
- Towing & Pushing
A composite unit — a pushing vessel and vessel being pushed that are connected as a rigid unit — shall be regarded as: