Question 1

A vessel pushing another vessel ahead, forming a composite unit, shows which lights?

Accepted Answer

Power-driven vessel lights under Rule 23, treating the composite unit as one vessel of combined length. Rule 24(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 as if she were a single vessel. The combined length determines whether one or two masthead lights are required (50m threshold).

Question 2

A vessel towing where the tow exceeds 200m in length must display which day shape?

Accepted Answer

A diamond shape where it can best be seen. Rule 24(a)(v) requires a power-driven vessel towing astern to exhibit a diamond shape where it can best be seen when the length of the tow exceeds 200m. Rule 24(e)(iii) requires the same shape on the vessel or object being towed, except those covered by Rule 24(g). The tow length is measured from the stern of the towing vessel to the after end of the tow. At night, under Rule 24(a)(i), the towing vessel shows three masthead lights in a vertical line instead of two when this length exceeds 200m. The diamond shape alerts other mariners to the length of the tow.

Question 3

A tug pushing a barge ahead is rigidly connected to it, forming a composite unit. What lights does the composite unit show?

Accepted Answer

The composite unit shows Rule 23 lights as a single power-driven vessel, using its combined length to determine requirements, without towing lights.. COMPOSITE UNIT (Rule 24(b)): when a pushing vessel and a vessel being pushed are rigidly connected in a composite unit, they shall be regarded as a single power-driven vessel. They show lights as prescribed in Rule 23 for a power-driven vessel of their combined length. This means: masthead light(s) based on combined length (50m threshold); sidelights; sternlight. No towing lights are shown. The composite is treated entirely as one vessel. Rule 23 prescribes masthead light requirements according to the 50 m threshold, together with sidelights and a sternlight.

Rule 24, questions and explanations

A vessel pushing another vessel ahead, forming a composite unit, shows which lights?

A vessel towing where the tow exceeds 200m in length must display which day shape?

A tug pushing a barge ahead is rigidly connected to it, forming a composite unit. What lights does the composite unit show?

Practise this properly

Rule 24, questions and explanations

Questions

A vessel pushing another vessel ahead, forming a composite unit, shows which lights?

A vessel towing where the tow exceeds 200m in length must display which day shape?

A tug pushing a barge ahead is rigidly connected to it, forming a composite unit. What lights does the composite unit show?

Practise this properly