Question 4 TV03 - Towing Vessels - Western Rivers

The Correct Answer is C **Explanation for Option C (Correct Answer):** The question describes a vessel displaying the following lights when viewed head-on: 1. **Red and Green Sidelights:** Indicates the vessel is underway and being seen from the bow. 2. **Three White Lights in a Vertical Line (above the sidelights):** According to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), Rule 24 (Towing and Pushing), a vessel engaged in towing where the length of the tow (measured from the stern of the towing vessel to the after end of the tow) exceeds 200 meters must exhibit **three masthead lights in a vertical line** instead of the usual two (or one). These three white masthead lights signify a long tow. Therefore, the vessel required to have these lights is a vessel towing a tow more than 200 meters astern. **Explanation of Incorrect Options:** **A) a vessel not under command (NUC):** A vessel not under command exhibits **two all-round red lights in a vertical line** and, if underway, sidelights and a sternlight. It does not display three white masthead lights in a vertical line. **B) a vessel trawling:** A vessel engaged in trawling exhibits **two lights in a vertical line, the upper being green and the lower being white**, plus sidelights and a sternlight when underway. It does not display three white lights in a vertical line. **D) a vessel underway and dredging:** A vessel engaged in dredging (or underwater operations) exhibits **three all-round lights in a vertical line**: red, white, red. When viewed head-on, if underway, it also shows sidelights. However, the vertical lights are colored (R-W-R), not three white lights, and are all-round, not masthead lights (though masthead lights may also be shown depending on the situation, the identifying light pattern is R-W-R). The defining pattern in the question (three *white* lights) points specifically to a long tow.