What lights must a vessel being towed at night show?

• A. Sidelights only
• B. Sidelights and a sternlight
• C. A sternlight only
• D. A masthead light

Answer: (B)

When a vessel is being towed, it isn’t under its own power, so its lights should indicate its status and orientation to others. The proper lights for a towed vessel at night are the standard side lights (red on the left, green on the right) and a white sternlight. These show where the vessel is and which way it’s moving, from the sides and from the rear. A masthead light isn’t required for a towed vessel simply because it’s being towed, unless that vessel would normally display one if it were underway under its own power. Also note: the towing vessel itself uses its regular lights plus a yellow towing light to signal that a tow is in progress. So the correct requirement for the towed vessel is sidelights and a sternlight.