Towing Lights: Essential Navigation for Safe Towing Operations
Towing lights are a critical component of marine navigation, ensuring visibility and compliance during towing scenarios. Whether you're a commercial operator or recreational boater towing a dinghy or barge, these yellow lights signal your vessel's status to prevent collisions. Explore our selection of high-quality, USCG-approved LED towing lights from trusted brands like Lopolight and Hella Marine, designed for durability, efficiency, and regulatory adherence.
What is a Towing Light?
A towing light is a specialized yellow navigation light used on vessels engaged in towing or pushing operations. According to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS, Rule 21(d)), it has the same characteristics as a sternlight: a steady yellow light visible over an arc of 135° (67.5° from right aft on each side), placed as close to the stern as practicable. This light indicates to other vessels that the boat is towing, helping to avoid misunderstandings in low-visibility conditions like night or fog.
Why Towing Lights Matter
- Safety: Clearly signals towing activity, allowing other boats to give way appropriately under COLREGS Rule 24.
- Compliance: Required for power-driven vessels towing astern or alongside; failure to display can result in fines or accidents.
- Efficiency: Modern LED towing lights offer low power draw (under 2W), long life (50,000+ hours), and resistance to shock, vibration, and saltwater corrosion.
- Applications: Ideal for yachts towing tenders, fishing boats with nets, or commercial tugs. For tows over 200m, additional masthead lights may be needed.
Towing lights must be displayed from sunset to sunrise and in reduced visibility, complementing sidelights, sternlights, and masthead lights for full navigation compliance.
Featured Towing Lights at DRSA
Discover premium towing lights engineered for reliability in harsh marine environments. Our curated selection includes energy-efficient LEDs that meet or exceed COLREGS and USCG standards (2 nautical miles visibility). Prices reflect current promotions stock is limited, so order today!
Lopolight Yellow Towing Light - 2NM - Silver Housing w/ FB Base [201-013-FB]
Elevate your towing setup with Lopolight's precision-engineered towing light, known for its sleek Scandinavian design and superior optics. This horizontally mounted unit delivers a bright, uniform yellow beam for vessels up to 50m, perfect for yachts or workboats.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Visibility | 2 nautical miles (135° arc) |
| Mount Type | Horizontal w/ FB (Flush Base) for antenna-pole or deck mounting |
| Housing | Silver anodized aluminum (corrosion-resistant) |
| Power | 12/24V DC, low draw (~1-2W) |
| IP Rating | IP68 (fully sealed, submersible) |
| Lifespan | 50,000+ hours |
| Dimensions | Compact: 3.5" diameter x 2.5" height |
| Certifications | USCG, COLREGS, CE, RINA |
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Why Choose Lopolight? Danish-crafted for minimal glare and maximum range, this light includes a centered wiring FB base for clean, from-below installations. Ideal for professional setups where aesthetics meet performance.
Hella Marine NaviLED Compact 2nm Towing Navigation Lamp - Black Shroud [980520601]
Hella Marine's NaviLED series sets the standard for compact, no-maintenance towing lights. This black-shrouded model is ultra-durable, featuring advanced Multivolt™ electronics for reliable operation in fluctuating conditions, making it perfect for smaller vessels or budget-conscious upgrades.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Visibility | 2 nautical miles (135° arc) |
| Mount Type | Surface/deck mount |
| Housing | Black polymer shroud (UV/shock-resistant) |
| Power | Multivoltâ„¢ 9-33V DC, <2W draw |
| IP Rating | IP67 (sealed for life) |
| Lifespan | 50,000+ hours (no bulbs) |
| Dimensions | Low-profile: 2.5" x 2.5" x 1.5" |
| Certifications | USCG, COLREGS, ABYC A-16, EMC compliant |
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Why Choose Hella Marine? Proven on commercial and recreational boats worldwide, this lamp offers enhanced visibility over traditional bulbs, with no filament to fail. Its sealed design eliminates maintenance, making it a hassle-free choice for frequent towing.
Installation and Maintenance Tips
- Placement: Mount at the stern, above the normal sternlight position, ensuring unobstructed 135° visibility. For composite units (pushing ahead), treat as a single power-driven vessel.
- Wiring: Use marine-grade cable; both models are pre-wired for easy integration.
- Testing: Activate during daylight to verify output pair with sound signals (e.g., one prolonged blast in fog) per COLREGS Rule 35.
- Care: LEDs require no bulb changes; rinse with fresh water after saltwater exposure.
For tows exceeding 200m, add vertical masthead lights (2-3 in line). Consult our experts for custom setups.
Why Shop Towing Lights at DRSA?
As your trusted distributor since 1988, DRSA offers fast shipping, expert advice, and a full range of marine lighting. Upgrade your towing safety today, browse more navigation lights, or contact us atÂ
Questions? Email info@drsa.com or visit our West Palm Beach store.