33 CFR § 82.3 - Pushing vessel and vessel being pushed: Composite unit.
---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t33/s82.3"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "33 CFR § 82.3 - Pushing vessel and vessel being pushed: Composite unit."
title_number: 33
title_name: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
section_number: "82.3"
section_name: "Pushing vessel and vessel being pushed: Composite unit."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "D"
subchapter_name: "INTERNATIONAL NAVIGATION RULES"
part_number: "82"
part_name: "72 COLREGS: INTERPRETATIVE RULES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "14 U.S.C. 102, 503; 33 U.S.C. 1602; E.O. 11964, 42 FR 4327, 3 CFR, 1977 Comp., p. 88; 49 CFR 1.46(n)."
cfr_part: "82"
---
# 82.3 Pushing vessel and vessel being pushed: Composite unit.
Rule 24(b) of the 72 COLREGS states that when a pushing vessel and a vessel being pushed ahead are rigidly connected in a composite unit, they are regarded as a power-driven vessel and must exhibit the lights under Rule 23. A “composite unit” is interpreted to be a pushing vessel that is rigidly connected by mechanical means to a vessel being pushed so they react to sea and swell as one vessel. “Mechanical means” does not include the following:
(a) Lines.
(b) Hawsers.
(c) Wires.
(d) Chains.
[CGD 76-133, 42 FR 35792, July 11, 1977. Redesignated by CGD 81-017, 46 FR 28154, May 26, 1981]