Question 1865Navigation General

The correct answer is D) push the head of the tow away from, and pull the stern of the towboat into, the right hand bank. This is due to the hydrodynamic forces acting on the towboat and tow when pushing a tow at high speed near a right-hand bank. The high-speed flow of water past the tow creates a suction effect that pulls the stern of the towboat towards the bank, while the bow of the tow is pushed away from the bank due to the expansion of the flow around the tow. This phenomenon is known as the "bank cushion" effect and is a key consideration for maneuvering vessels in confined waterways. The other answer choices are incorrect because they do not accurately describe the directional forces acting on the towboat and tow in this scenario.