A vessel being towed at night is required to display which lights on the towed vessel?

A vessel being towed at night is required to display which lights on the towed vessel?

• A. Sidelights
• B. Sidelights and a sternlight
• C. A masthead light only
• D. A red light

Answer: (B)

When a vessel is being towed at night, the lights on the towed vessel are meant to signal its status and orientation to other mariners. It should display the two sidelight colors (red on the port side and green on the starboard side) along with a white sternlight. The sidelight pair shows which side is which and helps others judge the vessel’s direction, while the sternlight marks its rear, confirming it’s behind another vessel and how it’s moving in relation to the search for clearance. A masthead light alone or a red light alone wouldn’t provide enough information about the vessel’s position and tow status. In towing operations, the towing vessel may also use a yellow towing light to indicate a tow, but the towed vessel’s required lights are sidlights and a sternlight.

When a vessel is being towed at night, the lights on the towed vessel are meant to signal its status and orientation to other mariners. It should display the two sidelight colors (red on the port side and green on the starboard side) along with a white sternlight. The sidelight pair shows which side is which and helps others judge the vessel’s direction, while the sternlight marks its rear, confirming it’s behind another vessel and how it’s moving in relation to the search for clearance. A masthead light alone or a red light alone wouldn’t provide enough information about the vessel’s position and tow status. In towing operations, the towing vessel may also use a yellow towing light to indicate a tow, but the towed vessel’s required lights are sidlights and a sternlight.