Rule 24 Towing and Pushing

Towing and Pushing — International

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

Towing and Pushing — Canadian Modifications

(j) For the purpose of paragraph (h), if it is impracticable for a barge being towed to comply with paragraph (e) within the Canadian waters of a roadstead, harbour, river, lake or inland waterway, it shall carry one all-round white light at each end; however, in a case where two or more barges are grouped together, the barges

(i) may instead carry one all-round white light at each end of the group, and

(ii) if the total length of the group exceeds 100 metres and the group is lighted in accordance with subparagraph (i), shall carry an additional all-round white light located as close as practicable to the mid-point of the group.

(k) Notwithstanding paragraph (c), in the waters of the Great Lakes Basin, a power-driven vessel, when pushing ahead or towing alongside, shall exhibit two towing lights in a vertical line instead of the sternlight prescribed in paragraph (c).

(l) In the waters of the Great Lakes Basin, a special flashing light shall be exhibited at the forward end of a vessel or vessels being pushed ahead, in addition to the lights prescribed in paragraph (f).

(m) For the purpose of paragraph (h), within the Canadian waters of a roadstead, harbour, river, lake or inland waterway, where it is impracticable for a log tow to comply with paragraph (g), the log tow 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,

(ii) if it is less than 25 metres in breadth and exceeds 100 metres in length, one additional all-round white light at or near the mid-point of the length,

(iii) if it is 25 metres or more in breadth, a total of four all-round white lights, one at or near each corner, and

(iv) if it is 25 metres or more in breadth and exceeds 100 metres in length, an additional all-round white light at or near the mid-point of each side of the length.

(n) to (q) [Repealed, SOR/2008-272, s. 16]