Towing & Ship-Assist · Operations — Locks
When entering a lock with a tow, the towboat operator generally:
- AReverses through the lock
- BMaintains a long towline and full sea speed
- CCasts off the tow and lets it drift in
- DShortens up the tow and proceeds at minimum steerage way under close control✓ Correct
Explanation
Locks are tight, low-clearance spaces. The operator shortens the towline (or keeps a rigid push made up), reduces to bare steerage way, and works the tow in under precise control, often with line handlers, to avoid striking the lock walls or gates.
Authority: Inland towing operations references
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: