Towing & Ship-Assist · Operations — Tandem Tow
In a tandem tow (two vessels towed one behind the other), the principal added risk compared with a single tow is:
- ALess drag
- BMore complex load distribution and the danger of the after tow overrunning the forward one during slowing/stopping✓ Correct
- CBrighter lights
- DNo need for a bridle
Explanation
Tandem tows complicate towline tension management; when the tug slows, the after tow can surge forward and overrun, fouling gear. Intermediate pennants, careful speed control, and adequate gear ratings are required.
Authority: Knight's Modern Seamanship; towing practice
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: