Learn to Sail Video - How to Avoid Danger When Sailing Near a Tugboat

Have you ever seen a coastal or offshore tug while out sailing? Did you realize that they could be towing astern--and the towline could be invisible?

Learn the vital steps you need to take to avoid serious injury or damage to your sailboat with this short video.

How to Avoid Danger When Passing a Tug and Tow!

1. Use binoculars to scan behind the tug. Tows can be 1/2 mile or more aft of the tug stern.

2. At night, look for two or three white lights in a vertical line on the tug's mast. These indicate how far the tow lies behind the tug (2 white lights = less than 200 meters; 3 white lights = greater than 200 meters). Avoid the temptation to pass astern of the tug.

3. Stop or heave to until you see the vessel being towed and it passes your position. Tows carry the same lighting as a sailboat--side lights (green to starboard, red to port) and a stern light (white). They can be tough to spot in a seaway. Proceed after you have made positive identification and both vessels have passed by you.