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