Rule 24 - Towing and pushing (a) A power-driven vessel when towing shall exhibit:
(i) instead of the light prescribed in Rule 23(a) (i) or (a) (ii), two masthead lights in a vertical line. When the length of the tow, measuring from the stern of the towing vessel to the after end of the tow exceeds 200 metres, three such lights in a vertical line;
(ii) sidelights; (iii) a sternlight; (iv) a towing light in a vertical line above the sternlight; (v) when the length of the tow exceeds 200 metres, a diamond shape
where it can best be seen.
(b) When a pushing vessel and a vessel being pushed ahead are rigidly connected in a composite unit they shall be regarded as a power-driven vessel and exhibit the lights prescribed in Rule 23.
(c) A power-driven vessel when pushing ahead or towing alongside, except in the case of a composite unit, shall exhibit: (i) instead of the light prescribed in Rule 23(a) (i) or (a) (ii), two
masthead lights in a vertical line; (ii) sidelights; (iii) a sternlight. 1
Rule 24 - Towing and pushing (d) A power-driven vessel to which paragraph (a) or (c) of this Rule
applies shall also comply with Rule 23(a) (ii).
e) A vessel or object being towed, other than those mentioned in paragraph (g) of this Rule, shall exhibit:
(i) sidelights; (ii) a sternlight; (iii) when the length of the tow exceeds 200 metres, a diamond shape
where it can best be seen.
(f) Provided that any number of vessels being towed alongside or pushed in a group shall be lighted as one vessel.
(i) a vessel being pushed ahead, not being part of a composite unit, shall exhibit at the forward end, sidelights;
(ii) a vessel being towed alongside shall exhibit a sternlight and at the forward end, sidelights.
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Rule 24 - Towing and pushing
(g) An inconspicuous, partly submerged vessel or object, or combination of such vessels or objects being towed, shall exhibit:
(i) if it is less than 25 metres in breadth, one all-round white light at or near the forward end and one at or near the after end except that dracones need not exhibit a light at or near the forward end;
(ii) if it is 25 metres or more in breadth, two additional all-round white lights at or near the extremities of its breadth;
(iii) if it exceeds 100 metres in length, additional all-round white lights between the lights prescribed in subparagraphs (i) and (ii) so that the distance between the lights shall not exceed 100 metres;
(iv) a diamond shape at or near the aftermost extremity of the last vessel or object being towed and if the length of the tow exceeds 200 metres an additional diamond shape where it can best be seen and located as far forward as is practicable.
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Rule 24 - Towing and pushing
(h) Where from any sufficient cause it is impracticable for a vessel or object being towed to exhibit the lights or shapes prescribed in paragraph (e) or (g) of this Rule, all possible measures shall be taken to light the vessel or object towed or at least to indicate the presence of such vessel or object.
(i) Where from any sufficient cause it is impracticable for a vessel not normally engaged in towing operations to display the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) or (c) of this Rule, such vessel shall not be required to exhibit those lights when engaged in towing another vessel in distress or otherwise in need of assistance. All possible measures shall be taken to indicate the nature of the relationship between the towing vessel and the vessel being towed as authorized by Rule 36, in particular by illuminating the towline.
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Rule 24 - Towing and pushing Definition
Towing is to pull along in water by a rope or a chain
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Rule 24 - Towing and pushing Definition
Power-driven vessel towing Vessel or object being towed
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Rule 24 - Towing and pushing
Categories of towing and pushing vessels – Power-driven vessel, tow 200 m or less – Power-driven vessel tow exceeding 200 m – Composite unit – Power-driven vessel pushing ahead – Power-driven vessel towing alongside – Vessel or object being towed – Vessel being pushed ahead – Vessel being towed alongside – Inconspicuous partly submerged vessel or
object being towed 7
Rule 24 - Towing and pushing
• AT NIGHT
– Two masthead lights in a vertical line – Sidelights – Sternlight – Towing light
For vessels of 50 m or more, a second masthead light
• BY DAY: nothing
Power-driven vessel towing, tow 200 m or less Rule 24 (a)
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Rule 24 - Towing and pushing Power-driven vessel towing, tow 200 m or less Rule 24 (a)
Yellow towing light and white sternlight in a vertical line
Two white masthead lights in a vertical line
Sidelights
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Rule 24 - Towing and pushing Power-driven vessel towing, tow 200 m or less Rule 24 (a)
The power-driven vessel towing is less than 50 metres in length
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• Rule 24 (a) • Power-driven vessel towing, pushing ahead or towing
alongside, less than 50 m • Tow 200 m or less • Starboard side view
Rule 24 - Towing and pushing Power-driven vessel towing, tow 200 m or less Rule 24 (a)
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Rule 24 - Towing and pushing Length of tow Rule 24 (a) (i)
Length of tow
The length of the tow is measured from the stern of the towing vessel to the after end of the tow
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• Rule 24 (a) • Power-driven vessel towing, pushing ahead or
towing alongside, more or less than 50 m • Tow 200 m or less • Port side view
Rule 24 - Towing and pushing Power-driven vessel towing, tow 200 m or less Rule 24 (a)
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Rule 24 - Towing and pushing
• AT NIGHT
– Three masthead lights in a vertical line – Sidelights – Sternlight – Towing light
For vessels of 50 m or more, a second masthead light
• BY DAY: a black diamond shape
Power-driven vessel towing, tow more than 200 m Rule 24 (a)
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Rule 24 - Towing and pushing Power-driven vessel towing, tow more than 200 m Rule 24 (a)
Yellow towing light and white sternlight in a vertical line
Three white masthead lights in a vertical line
Sidelights
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Rule 24 - Towing and pushing Power-driven vessel towing, tow more than 200 m Rule 24 (a)
The power-driven vessel towing is less than 50 metres in length
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Rule 24 - Towing and pushing Power-driven vessel towing, tow more than 200 m Rule 24 (a)
The power-driven vessel towing is more or less than 50 metres in length
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• Rule 24 (a) • Power-driven vessel towing, more or less than 50 m • Tow more than 200 m • Starboard side view
Rule 24 - Towing and pushing Power-driven vessel towing, tow more than 200 m Rule 24 (a)
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Rule 24 - Towing and pushing Power-driven vessel towing Rule 24 (a)
Only a power-driven vessel towing shows a towing light and a sternlight
A power-driven vessel pushing or towing alongside shows only a sternlight
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• Rule 24 (a) (v) and (e) • Power-driven vessel towing • Tow more than 200 m
Rule 24 - Towing and pushing Power-driven vessel towing, tow more than 200 m Rule 24 (a), (e)
By day
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Rule 24 - Towing and pushing Power-driven vessel towing, tow more than 200 m Rule 24 (a), (e)
Never ever attempt to pass between a tug and its tow
NO
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Rule 24 - Towing and pushing Power-driven vessel towing, Rule 24
Power-driven vessel more or less than 50 metres in length
OR
Power-driven vessel towing pushing ahead or towing alongside, less than 50 metres in length. Tow 200 metres or less
Power-driven vessel more or less than 50 metres in length
Power-driven vessel towing pushing ahead or towing alongside, less than 50 metres in length. Tow 200 metres or less
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Rule 24 - Towing and pushing Power-driven vessel towing, Rule 24
Power-driven vessel, 50 metres or more. Tow 200 metres or less.
OR
Power driven vessel towing, pushing ahead or towing alongside, less than 50 metres. Tow more than 200 metres
Power-driven vessel, 50 metres or more. Tow 200 metres or less.
Power driven vessel towing, less than 50 metres. Tow more than 200 metres
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Rule 24 - Towing and pushing Power-driven vessel towing, Rule 24
Power-driven vessel engaged in towing, 50 metres or more in length.
Length of tow more than 200 metres
Bow view
Power-driven vessel engaged in towing, 50 metres or more in length.
Length of tow more than 200 metres
Starboard side view
Power-driven vessel engaged in towing, 50 metres or more in length.
Length of tow more than 200 metres
Port side view 24
File 24 - Towing and pushing
– Vessel pushing and – Vessel being pushed – Adapted and locked to one another
Lights – Same as a power-driven vessel
Composite unit Rule 24 (b)
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File 24 - Towing and pushing Composite unit Rule 24 (b)
Composite unit by day
Same as power-driven vessel
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File 24 - Towing and pushing Composite unit Rule 24 (b)
Composite unit at night
Same as power-driven vessel
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File 24 - Towing and pushing
A power-driven vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside shall exhibit:
– Two masthead lights in a vertical line – Sidelights – Sternlight
Power-driven vessels of 50 m or more, pushing ahead or towing alongside shall exhibit a second masthead light
Pushing ahead or towing alongside Rule 24 (c)
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• Vessel being pushed ahead (not part of a composite unit): – Sidelights at the forward end
• Vessel being towed alongside: – Sidelights at the forward end – A sternlight
Several vessels pushed ahead or towed alongside
in a group shall be lighted as one vessel
File 24 - Towing and pushing Vessel pushed ahead or towed alongside Rule 24 (f)
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File 24 - Towing and pushing Pushing ahead or towing alongside Rule 24 (c)
Pusher
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File 24 - Towing and pushing Pushing ahead or towing alongside Rule 24 (c)
Pusher and barge
Pushing ahead
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File 24 - Towing and pushing Pushing ahead or towing alongside Rule 24 (c), (f)
Towing alongside
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File 24 - Towing and pushing Pushing ahead or towing alongside Rule 24 (f)
Tug-pushed dumb barge
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File 24 - Towing and pushing Pushing ahead or towing alongside Rule 24 (f)
Tug-pushed dumb barge
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File 24 - Towing and pushing Pushing ahead or towing alongside Rule 24 (c), (f)
Pusher and two vessels being pushed ahead
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File 24 - Towing and pushing Pushing ahead or towing alongside Rule 24 (c), (f)
Vessel towing alongside and vessel being towed alongside
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File 24 - Towing and pushing Pushing ahead or towing alongside Rule 24 (c), (f)
Power driven vessel pushing a barge
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File 24 - Towing and pushing Pushing ahead or towing alongside Rule 24 (c), (f)
Power-driven vessel pushing a group of vessels
Stern view
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• A conspicuous vessels or object being towed shall exhibit:
– AT NIGHT • Sidelights • A sternlight
– BY DAY • Tow 200 m or less: nothing • Tow more than 200 m: a black diamond shape
(where best seen)
See also Rule 24 par. (g)
File 24 - Towing and pushing Vessel or object being towed Rule 24 (e)
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File 24 - Towing and pushing Vessel or object being towed Rule 24 (e)
Vessel being towed, tow more than 200 metres
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File 24 - Towing and pushing Vessel or object being towed Rule 24 (e)
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• Rule 24 (e) and (a) • Power-driven vessel being towed and • Power-driven vessel towing • Tow 200 m or less • Bow view
File 24 - Towing and pushing Vessel or object being towed Rule 24 (e)
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File 24 - Towing and pushing
• Rule 24 (e) and (a) • Vessel being towed and • Power-driven vessel towing • Stern view
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Inconspicuous vessel being towed • AT NIGHT
– Less than 25 m wide, 100 m or less long • Two white lights (one forward, one after)
– 25 m or more wide, 100 m or less long • Four white lights (one forward, one after, one on
each side) – Less than 25 m wide, more than 100 m long
• Two white lights plus a number of white lights
– 25 m or more wide, more than 100 m long • Four white lights plus a number of white lights
File 24 - Towing and pushing Inconspicuous vessels or objects Rule 24 (g)
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Inconspicuous vessel being towed • BY DAY
– Length of tow 200 m or less • A diamond shape (at or near the the aftermost
extremity of last vessel) – Length of tow more than 200 m
• Two diamond shapes (one at or near the aftermost extremity of last vessel, one where best seen as far forward as practicable)
File 24 - Towing and pushing Inconspicuous vessels or objects Rule 24 (g)
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Inconspicuous partly submerged vessels or objects being towed are vessels or objects close to or nearly under the surface of the water and which cannot be clearly seen from another vessel and which cannot be lit like ordinary vessels or objects being towed.
Examples
− Parts of a drilling platform; − Rafts; − Scows; − Dracones; − Cribs or logs; − Etc.
They show a number of all round white lights or one or two diamonds.
File 24 - Towing and pushing Inconspicuous vessels or objects Rule 24 (g)
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File 24 - Towing and pushing Inconspicuous vessels or objects Rule 24 (g)
Dracones are long floating sausage-shaped containers made of nylon and covered with a rubber coating. They carry liquid cargo like oil
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File 24 - Towing and pushing Inconspicuous vessels or objects Rule 24 (g)
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File 24 - Towing and pushing Inconspicuous vessels or objects Rule 24 (g)
Inconspicuous object
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File 24 - Towing and pushing Inconspicuous vessels or objects Rule 24 (g)
Towing logs
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File 24 - Towing and pushing Inconspicuous vessels or objects Rule 24 (g)
Inconspicuous object being towed. 25 metres or more in breadth and 100 metres or less in length
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File 24 - Towing and pushing Inconspicuous vessels or objects Rule 24 (g)
Inconspicuous object being towed. 25 metres or more in breadth and more than 100 metres in length
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File 24 - Towing and pushing Inconspicuous vessels or objects Rule 24 (g)
Inconspicuous object being towed. Length of tow more than 200 metres
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File 24 - Towing and pushing Vessel or object cannot exhibit lights Rule 24 (h)
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File 24 - Towing and pushing Vessel or object cannot exhibit lights Rule 24 (h)
A night, this object will not be able to exhibit lights as prescribed
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File 24 - Towing and pushing Vessel or object cannot exhibit lights Rule 24 (h)
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File 24 - Towing and pushing
• Rule 24 (i) • Power-driven vessel towing not normally engaged in a
towing operation (e.g. helping another vessel in distress) • Starboard side view
Power-driven vessel towing, cannot exhibit towing lights Rule 24 (i)
The nature of the relationship between both vessels must be indicated
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File 24 - Towing and pushing Towing alongside Rule 24 (c), (f)
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File 24 - Towing and pushing Towing vessel and her tow severely restricted in their ability to deviate from their course
At night
See Rule 27(c)
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File 24 - Towing and pushing Towing vessel and her tow severely restricted in their ability to deviate from their course
By day
See Rule 27 (c)
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File 24 - Towing and pushing
Typical view along the coast
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File 24 - Towing and pushing
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The tug has taken the buoy in tow
impracticable for the object to exhibit the lights or shapes prescribed
File 24 - Towing and pushing
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