Rules of the Road · 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?
- AA vessel pushing a composite unit ahead
- BA vessel towing astern with a tow exceeding 200 meters✓ Correct
- CA vessel not under command
- DA vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver
Explanation
Three masthead lights in a vertical line forward plus the yellow towing light above the sternlight indicates an astern tow where the total length of the tow exceeds 200 meters. This combination is a warning to give the vessel and its long tow a wide berth.
Authority: 72 COLREGS Rule 24(a)(i)
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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:
- Towing & Pushing
A vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside at night shall show, in addition to sidelights:
- 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: