Sail Skills - ColRegs Free Guide to ColRegs (the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, the IRPCS or Collision Regs). Guidance covers all aspects with animations, pictures and diagrams. Aimed at small vessel users but suitable for professional mariners. Especially recommended for RYA examination candidates.
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back to top ColRegs Home>ColRegs>Lights & Shapes>Towing and Pushing>Power-Driven Vessel Towing>Note: Distinguishing Lights Note: Distinguishing Lights In Theory From ahead, it is difficult to distinguish power-driven vessels engaged in towing from those that are not: It’s also difficult to distinguish the length of the tow in theory: Diagram: two power-driven vessels from ahead; vessel under 50m with tow not more than 200m & vessel underway Diagram: two power-driven vessels from ahead; vessel with tow not more than 200m & vessel under 50m with tow more than 200m Vessel 1: under 50m towing - length of tow not more than 200m Vessel 2: power-driven vessel underway Vessel 3: towing - length of tow not more than 200m Vessel 4: under 50m towing - length of tow more than 200m In Fact As soon as the aspect (the view of the vessel) changes from ahead, all is obvious. It’s clear whether or not the masthead lights are in a vertical line Here are the four vessels above - but each now seen from the starboard bow: Diagram: two power-driven vessels from starboard bow; vessel under 50m with tow not more than 200m & vessel underway Diagram: two power-driven vessels from starboard bow; vessel with tow not more than 200m & vessel under 50m with tow more than 200m The three masthead lights in a vertical line to indicate the length of a tow have to be evenly spaced This means that even from ahead, the after masthead light is usually easily distinguished from the forward ones: What’s more, there are often other lights visible such as: the tow’s and various working lights Diagram: vessel towing: length of tow more than 200m - from ahead and from starboard bow Vessel towing - length of tow not more than 200m Note that from ahead the masthead lights are unevenly spaced Diagram: vessel under 50m, towing a vessel: length of tow more than 200m - from ahead and from starboard bow Vessel under 50m towing - length of tow more than 200m A good knowledge of the rules, experience and binoculars are invaluable! Vessel 1: under 50m towing - length of tow not more than 200m Vessel 2: power-driven vessel underway Vessel 3: towing - length of tow not more than 200m Vessel 4: under 50m towing - - length of tow more than 200m
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