Rule 24 - Towing and Pushing | Lights and Shapes

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RULE 24
Towing and Pushing
(a) A power-driven vessel when towing astern shall exhibit:
(i) instead of the light prescribed either in Rule 23(a)(i) or 23(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 meters, three such lights in a vertical line;
(ii) sidelights;
(iii) a sternlight;
(iv) a towing light in a vertical line above the sternlight; and (v) when the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters, 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 as required by paragraphs (b) and (i) of this Rule, shall exhibit:
(i) instead of the light prescribed either in Rule 23(a)(i) or 23(a)(ii), two masthead lights in a vertical line;
(ii) sidelights; and
(iii) two towing lights in a vertical line.
(d) A vessel or object other than those referred to in paragraph (g) of this Rule being towed shall exhibit:
(i) sidelights;
(ii) a sternlight; and
(iii) when the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters, a diamond shape where it can best be seen.
(e) Provided that any number of vessels being towed alongside or pushed in a group shall be lighted as one vessel, except as provided in paragraph (iii):
(i) a vessel being pushed ahead, not being part of a composite unit, shall exhibit at the forward end sidelights, and a special flashing light;
(ii) a vessel being towed alongside shall exhibit a sternlight and at the forward end, sidelights and a special flashing light; and
(iii) when vessels are towed alongside on both sides of the towing vessels a sternlight shall be exhibited on the stern of the outboard vessel on each side of the towing vessel, and a single set of sidelights as far forward and as far outboard as is practicable, and a single special flashing light.
(f) An inconspicuous, partly submerged vessel or object being towed shall exhibit:
(g) if it is less than 25 meters in breadth, one all-round white light at or near each end;
(i) if it is 25 meters or more in breadth, four all-round white lights to mark its length and breadth;
(ii) if it exceeds 100 meters 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 meters: Provided, That any vessels or objects being towed alongside each other shall be lighted as one vessel or object;
(iii) a diamond shape at or near the aftermost extremity of the last vessel or object being towed; and (v) the towing vessel may direct a searchlight in the direction of the tow to indicate its presence to an approaching vessel.
(h) Where from any sufficient cause it is impracticable for a vessel or object being towed to exhibit the lights 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 the unlighted vessel or object.
(i) Notwithstanding paragraph (c), on the Western Rivers (except below the Huey P. Long Bridge on the Mississippi River) and on waters specified by the Secretary, a power-driven vessel when pushing ahead or towing alongside, except as paragraph (b) applies, shall exhibit:
(i) sidelights; and
(ii) two towing lights in a vertical line.
(j) Where from any sufficient cause it is impracticable for a vessel not normally engaged in towing operations to display the lights prescribed by paragraph (a), (c) or (i) 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 assisted. The searchlight authorized by Rule 36 may be used to illuminate the tow.

[@hullhealersboatworksrestor4377]

Currently a student at Chapman School of Seamanship in my hometown of Stuart, Fl and I did not get the required 90% on my Rules of the road exam the first time I took it, and I was really having trouble grasping towing lights amongst a few other rules and I have been watching your entire rules playlist and I have to tell you sir, you are a very talented teacher. You are very easy to understand and if it wasn't for your videos on chart plotting I would not have gotten a 100% on my chart plotting exam because I would watch all your videos to learn more during nighttime studying and you explain it better to me than the instructor did at my school. I just learn better from your style of teaching. I just wanted to say thank you for putting this info out there on KZbin for free! It is certainly helpful. I will be retaking my Rules of the road test this week and I have no doubt I will pass it this time around!

[@uscaptainstraining]

Glad to help and thank you!

[@melissahildebrant759]

This is so helpful!!! I have been getting hung up on lights and day shapes for a while now. Super overwhelming. This helps a lot

[@aevans1305]

@22:13 tug would display the towing identification and a mast headlight if less than 50.rule 24ci. This might have been addressed since its been a while since this video was out.

[@coloaltidort6745]

Good job

[@user-op1by8bc6n]

No sidelights or stern light on the partly submerged vessel being towed?

[@BaldJohnnyRhythm]

at ~21:00: it makes no sense why a powered vessel in a two-side push operation wouldn’t display masthead lights. has there been any clarification on this?

[@uscaptainstraining]

I agree! Going to look at this tomorrow.

[@user-op1by8bc6n]

What's the difference between rows 3 and 4? Both have a tow greater than 200m but one is showing 3 mastheadlights and the other is showing 4?

[@uscaptainstraining]

The fourth masthead light is abaft of and higher than the forward three. This comes into play when your tig is greater than 50 meters in length.

[@thamaraikkannanv5277]

Rule 24 clearly says instead of rule 23 (a)(i)(ii) the towing vessel shall exhibit 2 masthead lights in a vertical line and if the length of the tow exceeds 200m then three masthead lights in a vertical line. This means that regardless of the length of the towing vessel, this has to be applied (either 2 masthead or 3) .So, I think there is no need for 4 masthead lights as the length of the vessel (towing vessel) is not considered while towing as per rule 24. Kindly correct me if I am wrong. Thanks.

[@Breal191]

Are the inconspicuous or partly submerged rules in,and or international or both?

[@user-op1by8bc6n]

No diamond day shape behind a vessel towing less than 200m under 50m?

[@uscaptainstraining]

That's right. If your tow is less than 200m long then no diamond shape.

[@user-op1by8bc6n]

How then is that vessel identified during the day?@@uscaptainstraining

[@pedrolavradias2999]

If the towing is bigger than 200m either the tug and the object being towed shall exhibit the diamond shape? Or only the object being towed?

[@saurav123singh]

A power driven vessel when towing shall exhibit :- when the length of the tow exceeds 200 metres, a diamond shape where it can best be seen. That means in the diagram referred to as 3 in a row and 4 in a row, the towing vessel will show a diamond shape where it can best be seen.

[@JaydubyaX]

@@saurav123singh h

[@seahorsecat29]

Does he know 💀💅🏼✨

[@Enhelp]

Rule 25 has ck!

[@cheesechicken]

U heard of rule 34?