Towing & Ship-Assist · Lights - Composite
A 'composite unit' (a pushing tug and barge rigidly connected so they move as one vessel) is lit as:
- AA vessel towing astern
- BA power-driven vessel of the combined length✓ Correct
- CA vessel not under command
- DTwo separate vessels
Explanation
When a pushing vessel and the vessel pushed are rigidly connected as a composite unit, Rule 24(b) treats them as a single power-driven vessel and they are lit accordingly — not with towing lights.
Authority: Navigation Rules, Rule 24(b)
Practice the full Towing & Ship-Assist 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 Towing & Ship-Assist questions
- Towing Lights
For the purpose of the towing light rules, the 'length of the tow' is measured from the:
- Towing Lights
A power-driven vessel towing astern, with a tow 200 meters or less in length, exhibits which lights in addition to sidelights and a sternlight?
- Towing Lights
When the length of the tow astern exceeds 200 meters, the towing vessel displays:
- Towing Lights
By day, when the length of a tow exceeds 200 meters, the towing vessel and the vessel being towed must each exhibit:
- Towing Lights
The yellow towing light required of a vessel towing astern is located:
- Towing Lights
A vessel or object being towed astern (and not a composite or pushed unit) normally exhibits: