Rules of the Road · Towing & Pushing
A vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside at night shall show, in addition to sidelights:
- ATwo masthead lights in a vertical line, no sternlight
- BOne masthead light and a yellow towing light
- CTwo all-round yellow lights in a vertical line
- DTwo masthead lights in a vertical line and a sternlight✓ Correct
Explanation
Rule 24(b) requires a vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside to show two masthead lights in a vertical line forward and sidelights. A sternlight is also shown as it remains an underway vessel. There is no yellow towing light for a push ahead — that light is for astern tows.
Authority: 72 COLREGS Rule 24(b)
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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 towing another astern where the tow does NOT exceed 200 meters shall show, in addition to sidelights and a sternlight:
- Towing & Pushing
A vessel being TOWED astern at night shall show:
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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: