Question 17 ONC04 - Mate of LT 500-1600 GRT

The Correct Answer is B **Explanation for B (Sidelights and a stern light) being correct:** This scenario involves a vessel being towed alongside (part of a composite unit) rather than being towed astern or being a vessel "not under command." The navigation rules governing the lights for a vessel being towed are found in COLREG Rule 24 (Towing and Pushing). Specifically, for a vessel being pushed ahead or towed alongside as part of a composite unit, the vessel being pushed or towed is required to show the lights appropriate to the vessel being towed, which means it must show **sidelights and a stern light**, but **not** the masthead lights prescribed for a power-driven vessel. According to Annex I, Section 9 (Towing/Pushing operations) of the COLREGs (or the specific national interpretations based on this rule, often reflected in navigation manuals like the US Inland Rules, which mirrors the international intent for this configuration), the vessel being towed alongside is treated similarly to the pushed vessel in a composite unit: it must show its extremities. * **Sidelights:** To show the vessel's width and direction from the bow/sides. * **Stern light:** To show the vessel's presence from the stern. **Explanation of why other options are incorrect:** * **A) One all-round white light:** This light configuration is typically reserved for vessels under 7 meters in length and speed less than 7 knots, or for small anchored vessels. It is not the correct configuration for a towed vessel alongside, which requires directional navigation lights (sidelights and stern light). * **C) A masthead light, sidelights, and a stern light:** Showing a masthead light indicates that the vessel is itself a power-driven vessel "under way" or the towing vessel itself. The vessel being towed alongside should **not** show masthead lights, as this would confuse observers regarding which vessel is the towing unit or if the towed vessel is self-propelled. * **D) Only the outboard sidelight and a stern light:** While the outboard sidelight is crucial (as the inboard side may be obscured by the towing vessel), the rule generally requires showing both sidelights (unless specific exemptions based on the positioning of the tow make the inboard light unnecessary, but the primary requirement for a towed vessel is the set of standard running lights, which includes both sidelights and a stern light, to ensure visibility from all relevant sectors). However, the standard and most direct answer for a towed vessel being towed alongside is the full set of running lights (sidelights and stern light), as defined by Rule 24.