Question 17 ONC07 - OUPV-Near Coastal

The Correct Answer is B **Explanation for B (Sidelights and a stern light):** This scenario is governed by Rule 24(g) of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), which specifies the lights required for a vessel or object being towed (if the length of the tow is 200 meters or less) when the vessel being towed is not normally exhibiting lights (like a barge). However, the key element here is that the vessel is being towed **alongside** (i.e., pushed or made fast to the side of the towing vessel), which makes it an inherent part of the pushing composite unit. Rule 24(c) dictates the lighting for a composite unit (a power-driven vessel and a vessel being pushed ahead, when they are rigidly connected in a composite unit). While this vessel is being towed alongside, not pushed ahead, the core requirement is that the entire assembly must display the lights of a single power-driven vessel. Rule 24(g)(ii) specifies: "a vessel or object being towed shall exhibit: sidelights and a sternlight." When a vessel is towed alongside and treated as a single vessel: 1. It does not exhibit the special towing lights (two or three masthead lights) because it is the towed unit, not the towing unit. 2. To ensure that the entire formation appears as a single power-driven vessel, the towed unit is required to show its navigational lights (sidelights and a stern light) so that the outboard sides of the formation are illuminated correctly. Therefore, the vessel being towed alongside must show **sidelights and a stern light**. --- **Explanation of why other options are incorrect:** **A) One all-round white light:** This light setup (Rule 24(h)) is reserved for an **unmanned** vessel or object being towed that is short (less than 25 meters). A single manned vessel being towed alongside would not use this configuration, as it must show directional (sidelights/stern light) navigation lights. **C) A masthead light, sidelights, and a stern light:** This is the standard lighting configuration for a **power-driven vessel underway** (Rule 23). A vessel being towed alongside is not acting as an independent power-driven vessel and therefore must not show a masthead light, as this would confuse mariners regarding the nature of the combined formation and the lights being shown by the towing vessel itself. **D) Only the outboard sidelight and a stern light:** While the vessel being towed alongside primarily contributes the light necessary for the outboard side, COLREGs specifies the vessel being towed must exhibit "sidelights" (plural) and a "sternlight" (Rule 24(g)(ii)). Although the inboard sidelight may be obscured by the towing vessel, the requirement is to show the lights defined for a vessel being towed, which includes both sidelights. Furthermore, the stern light is essential for identification when viewed from astern.