---
kind: "section"
citation: "33 C.F.R. § 82.3"
title: "33"
number: "82.3"
heading: "Pushing vessel and vessel being pushed: Composite unit."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/33/82.3"
---

# §82.3. Pushing vessel and vessel being pushed: Composite unit.


[Rule 24(b)](/cfr/33/24.md?p=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](/cfr/33/23.md). 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.**

## Notes

### Amendments

[CGD 76-133, 42 FR 35792, July 11, 1977. Redesignated by CGD 81-017, 46 FR 28154, May 26, 1981]

### Authority

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).

### Amendments

[CGD 76-133, 42 FR 35792, July 11, 1977. Redesignated by CGD 81-017, 46 FR 28154, May 26, 1981]