How should vessels being towed or pushed be illuminated according to maritime rules?

Vessels being towed or pushed must be illuminated in accordance with the regulations that require them to display the appropriate lights as if they were one unit. This means that when a vessel is in tow, it is considered part of the towing vessel for the purposes of navigation and signaling. The towing vessel must display its own navigation lights—such as the masthead light, sidelights, and stern light—and the vessel being towed must also show specific lights to indicate its status.

The rationale for treating them as one unit in terms of lighting is to ensure clear communication of the entire arrangement to other vessels on the water. This prevents confusion and enhances safety by allowing nearby boats to understand the situation—whether one vessel is towing another, and how many vessels are engaged in the operation.

Thus, choosing to display the appropriate lights for both the towing and towed vessels provides crucial information. This does not allow for the towed vessel to operate solely on its own lights or for the towing vessel to display fewer lights, as proper illumination of both is vital to maintaining navigational safety and compliance with maritime rules.