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RULE 24:
TOWING AND PUSHING
(a)
A power-driven
vessel when towing
astern [Inld] shall exhibit:
- Instead of the light prescribed 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;
- sidelights;
- a sternlight;
- a towing
light in a vertical line above the sternlight; and
- 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. (pictures of a unit
over 50m / unit
less than 50m)
(c) A power-driven vessel when pushing
ahead or towing alongside, except [in the
case of a composite unit / as required by paragraphs (b) and (i)
of this Rule], shall exhibit:
- instead of the light prescribed in Rule 23(a)(i) or 23(a)(ii),
two masthead lights in a vertical line;
- sidelights;
and
- [a
sternlight / two
towing lights in a vertical line]
(d) A power-driven vessel to which
paragraph (a) or (c) of this Rule apply shall also comply with rule
23(a)(i) [Inld] and 23(a)(ii).
(picture of vessel with tow 200m or less AND less than 50m
in length / 50m
or more in length)
(e) A
vessel or object being towed, other than those mentioned in
paragraph (g) of this Rule, shall exhibit:
- sidelights;
- a sternlight;
- when the length
of the tow exceeds 200 meters, 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, except as provided in paragraph (iii) [Inld]
(pictures of International
and Inland
configurations)
- a vessel being pushed ahead, not being part of a composite
unit, shall exhibit at the forward end, sidelights, and a
special flashing light [Inld];
- a vessel being towed alongside shall exhibit a sternlight
and at the forward end, sidelights, and a special flashing
light [Inld];
- 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 an as far outboard as is practicable,
and a single special flashing light [Inld];
(g) An inconspicuous, partly submerged
vessel or object, or combination of such vessels or objects
being towed, [Intl] shall exhibit:
| International |
Inland |
| (i) if it is less than
25 meters 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. |
(i) if it is less than
25 meters in breadth, one all-round white light at or near
each end. |
| (ii)
if it is 25 meters or more in breadth, two or more additional
all-round white lights at or near the extremities of its
breadth; |
(ii)
if it is 25 meters or more in breadth, four all-round white
lights to mark its length and breadth; |
- 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
[Inld];
- 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 meters an additional diamond shape where it can best be
seen and located as far forward as is practicable. [Intl]
- the towing vessel may direct a searchlight in the direction
of the tow to indicate its presence to an approaching vessel.
[Inld]
(h) When from any sufficient cause
it is impracticable for a vessel or object being towed to exhibit
the lights or shapes [Intl]
prescribed in paragraph (e) or (g) of this Rule, all possible measures
shall be taken to light the vessel or object being towed or at least
indicate the presence of [such / 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: [Inld]
- sidelights; and [Inld]
- two towing lights in a vertical line. [Inld]
(i/j) 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), (c) or (i) [Inld]
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 / tow].
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