Towing and Pushing (Rule 24 Lights)

Vessel being pushed ahead, not being part of a composite unit. International

Power-driven vessel towing astern - towing vessel less than 50 meters in length; length of tow 200 meters or less.

Power-driven vessel towing astern - towing vessel less than 50 meters in length; length of tow exceeds 200 meters.

Composite Unit 50m or greater.









Composite Unit underway - less than 50m in length.







Power-driven vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside - towing vessel less than 50 meters in length. International

Power-driven vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside - towing vessel less than 50 meters in length. Inland






Power-driven vessel towing astern - length of tow 200 meters or less. The after masthead light is optional for vessel less than 50 meters in length.

Power-driven vessel towing astern - length of tow 200 meters or less. When masthead lights for towing or pushing are exhibited aft, a forward masthead light is required.





Vessel being towed - length of tow 200 meters or less.

Vessel or object being towed - length of tow exceeds 200 meters.

Vessel being towed alongside. International

Vessel being pushed ahead, not being part of a composite unit. Inland

Vessel being towed alongside. Inland

Dracone being towed

Power-driven vessel pushing ahead on Western Rivers. (above the Huey P. Long Bridge on the Mississippi River) Inland

This Rule covers both "towing," which means towing astern on a hawser or cable or with the towed vessel alongside, and "pushing," which means only pushing the "towed" vessel ahead of the towing vessel.

For determining the need for different lights and dayshapes for longer tows, the distance is measured from the stern of the towing vessel to the stern of the towed vessel which is the sum of the length of the towline and the towed vessel.

Note that the lights seen from astern of vessels pushing ahead or towing alongside are different in waters governed by the Inland and by the International Rules.

Also the two masthead lights for towing vessels with tows of 200 meters or less, and the three masthead lights used with longer tows, may be shown either forward or aft on towing vessels 50 meters or more in length. If the multiple lights are shown forward, there will be a single, higher masthead light aft, if the two or three lights are shown aft, there will be a single, lower masthead light forward. The single masthead light is not required of shorter towing vessels, but may be shown.

The diamond dayshape required on the towed vessel or object for tows over 200 meters in length has no corresponding light for nighttime. Note also that the diamond shape is shown only on the towed vessel or object, and not on the towing vessel even though the triple masthead lights may not be noticeable during the day (these lights will normally be shown in the daytime, although not required by the Rules).