"Shen44" wrote in message ...

Read rule 35 (c) and explain to me why they (tugboats) are included in there if
they are RAM .... i.e. there would be no need.



Here is Rule 35 (c)

(c) A vessel not under command, a vessel restricted in her ability to
maneuver, a vessel constrained by her draft, a sailing vessel, a vessel
engaged in fishing and a vessel engaged in towing or pushing
another vessel shall, instead of the signals prescribed in paragraphs
(a) or (b) of this Rule, sound at intervals of not more than 2 minutes
three blasts in succession, namely one prolonged followed by two
short blasts.

The key phrase is "engage is pushing or towing ANOTHER VESSEL"

If the rule stated just plain pushing or towing I might agree with you
but if there is another vessel involved it is assumed that the combination
is Restricted in its Ability to Maneuver. That this rule clarifies a point
about differences in some tow boats that are RAMs and some that
are not has no bearing on our discussion of motorboats who give
one signal taking action to avoid a close quarters situation with those
vessels that sound the signal delineated in the above Rule.

The Rule that names the classes of vessels does not include a
class of vessels called towboats.

New NUC
Reels Ram
Catch CBD
Fish Fishing
So Sailing
Purchase Power
Some Seaplane

This Rule is the Rule that describes pecking order and not
Rule 35. 35 is a specific rule that talks about fog signals.

It does not change the fact that a towboat does not sound
the fog signal of or show the lights and shapes of a RAM
unless it is a RAM. The only thing Rule 35 does is says
a towboat pushing or towing another vessel may sound
the same sound as a RAM, sailboat, NUC. etc.

Another argument won.

S.Simon