United States Coast Guard Captains License Practice Exam

What lights are required for a barge being towed alongside?

1. Sidelights and sternlight

2. Sidelights and a special flashing light and a sternlight

3. Sidelights and a special flashing light

4. Sidelights, a towing light and a sternlight

The correct answer is: Sidelights and sternlight

For a barge being towed alongside, the required lights are sidelights and a sternlight. Sidelights are positioned on the bow of the vessel, with a green light on the starboard side and a red light on the port side. These lights indicate the direction the vessel is facing, which is crucial for other vessels to understand the movement and orientation of the towed barge. The sternlight, located at the rear, provides visibility to other vessels coming from behind. This combination of lights is consistent with the navigation rules set out in the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), which specify the lighting configurations for various types of vessels and their operations. The inclusion of the sternlight ensures that the barge is visible from astern, promoting safety in navigation and preventing collisions, especially when visibility is low. While other options may include additional lighting systems, such as special flashing lights or towing lights, these are not required for a barge towed alongside, making the simpler configuration of sidelights and a sternlight sufficient for compliance with maritime navigation standards.