Hip tow means the tug itself is further forward than the tow.

This configuration does not need a special flashing light on the tow.

Towing alongside can mean a hip tow or an alongside tow where the
tow is further forward than the tug.

Question 21 is poorly worded and I maintain B is still the correct answer
because, unless it clarifies 'along side' as not being a hip tow, then it
means the tow is further ahead than the tug - in effect the tug is pushing
ahead. Click the link for a picture.

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/mwv/navru...ule24fInld.gif

I hope this helps.

CN


"Bart Senior" wrote in message ...
This is an interesting question, and shows out how the
Rules do change. I need to either go through my Rule
books and make updates, or else get a new ones.

I believe the long tug/long tow option is GONE where four
white verticle lights were used for this configuration. Tugs
with tows would display either 2 or 3 masthead lights.
3 for long tow over 200 meters. Rule 23 (a) ii no longer
applies for tows.

****

Here is how I remember it for short tug.

The idea is to think about what lights you take
away as you make changes from tow-behind to
hip-tow, to push-ahead-tow.

****

For International and Inland the tow-behind lights are the same:

Long Tow [behind]

Three whites on the mast, diamond dayshape on tow and
last barge. Yellow tow light over stern light, sidelights on
Tow. Barges have sidelights and sternlights.

Short Tow--[Drop a couple barges] Drop tug masthead
lights--from three to 2. Also drop dayshapes.

International:

Bring Tow up to hip-tow. Drop yellow tow light.
Bring Tow up to tow-ahead. Drop stern light on tow

Inland
Swap sternlight for two yellow tow lights aft.
Add special flashing lights to bows of tow for
both hip tow and push-ahead tow.

For Western Rivers with low bridge clearance,
you get to drop the tug's two white lights. In
such cases, there are no white lights on a push
ahead tow!

******

Optional--direct searchlight in direction of tow

Partially submerged tows need a 360 white light at each end.
Also black diamond dayshape and searchlight.

Bart


"DSK" wrote in

Bart Senior wrote:
Doug,

What is the difference in lights between the
hip tow and pushing ahead?


AFAIK there isn't a difference. In both cases the towing/pushing vessel
displays running lights + towing lights, the tow displays yellow lights.

No stern light on push-ahead barge.


I don't know this stuff by heart, I always look it up. On those rare
occasions when we're underway at night and see a tow, I call the skipper
on VHF... is that cheating?

DSK

Capt. Neal® wrote:
Hip tow means the tug itself is further forward than the tow.

wrong.

This configuration does not need a special flashing light on the tow.

wrong.

Towing alongside can mean a hip tow or an alongside tow where the
tow is further forward than the tug.
Question 21 is poorly worded and I maintain B is still the correct answer
because, unless it clarifies 'along side' as not being a hip tow, then it
means the tow is further ahead than the tug - in effect the tug is pushing
ahead. Click the link for a picture.

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/mwv/navru...ule24fInld.gif

I hope this helps.

CN

When a tug takes a tow on the "hip", the tug is on the side of the tow,
towards the stern of the tow, preferably with his stern clear of the tow.
To put a tug fwd on the tow would greatly reduce the maneuverability of
the tug when trying to handle the tow (when alone).
Neal, you know less about tug and barges than I do, so give it a rest,
you got this one wrong, along with four others.
There was nothing wrong with the wording of the question, just your answer.
To the best of my knowledge, a tug will say the barge is on the hip, no
matter where he is located on the barge side, but in many cases this
will refer to a tug which was towing astern, maneuvering alongside to
tie up to the barge when entering a port. Being on the "hip" is not good
at sea.

otn

This is nonsense. You're proving you're not even qualified to read
the questions. "Hip tow" was not mentioned in the question, nor is it
used in the rules. "Towing alongside" is pretty unambiguous.


Capt. Neal® wrote:
Hip tow means the tug itself is further forward than the tow.

This configuration does not need a special flashing light on the tow.

Towing alongside can mean a hip tow or an alongside tow where the
tow is further forward than the tug.
Question 21 is poorly worded and I maintain B is still the correct answer
because, unless it clarifies 'along side' as not being a hip tow, then it
means the tow is further ahead than the tug - in effect the tug is pushing
ahead. Click the link for a picture.

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/mwv/navru...ule24fInld.gif

I hope this helps.

CN


"Bart Senior" wrote in message
...

This is an interesting question, and shows out how the
Rules do change. I need to either go through my Rule
books and make updates, or else get a new ones.

I believe the long tug/long tow option is GONE where four
white verticle lights were used for this configuration. Tugs
with tows would display either 2 or 3 masthead lights.
3 for long tow over 200 meters. Rule 23 (a) ii no longer
applies for tows.

****

Here is how I remember it for short tug.

The idea is to think about what lights you take
away as you make changes from tow-behind to
hip-tow, to push-ahead-tow.

****

For International and Inland the tow-behind lights are the same:

Long Tow [behind]

Three whites on the mast, diamond dayshape on tow and
last barge. Yellow tow light over stern light, sidelights on
Tow. Barges have sidelights and sternlights.

Short Tow--[Drop a couple barges] Drop tug masthead
lights--from three to 2. Also drop dayshapes.

International:

Bring Tow up to hip-tow. Drop yellow tow light.
Bring Tow up to tow-ahead. Drop stern light on tow

Inland
Swap sternlight for two yellow tow lights aft.
Add special flashing lights to bows of tow for
both hip tow and push-ahead tow.

For Western Rivers with low bridge clearance,
you get to drop the tug's two white lights. In
such cases, there are no white lights on a push
ahead tow!

******

Optional--direct searchlight in direction of tow

Partially submerged tows need a 360 white light at each end.
Also black diamond dayshape and searchlight.

Bart


"DSK" wrote in

Bart Senior wrote:

Doug,

What is the difference in lights between the
hip tow and pushing ahead?


AFAIK there isn't a difference. In both cases the towing/pushing
vessel displays running lights + towing lights, the tow displays
yellow lights.


No stern light on push-ahead barge.


I don't know this stuff by heart, I always look it up. On those rare
occasions when we're underway at night and see a tow, I call the
skipper on VHF... is that cheating?

DSK