In the screen shots for New Horizons, it shows the push boat pushing barges but it shows the "push knees" (the two structures in the front of the boat that actually contact the barges to do the pushing) overlap the barge as if to keep deck of the barge at a constant height relative to the push boat. Perhaps they're actually structures on the barge itself. I have no idea about anywhere else, but in the United States, in particular on the Mississippi, Ohio, Illinois, etc. rivers, there are no such structures on the barges nor is there anything on the push boat (called "tows" here) that overlaps the barge.
Here's an example of an unusual Mississippi River Tow (the "Reggie G") pushing barges on the Mississippi. This particular tow has a pilot house that raises and lowers (like the push boat in New Horizons) which is pretty unusual on the Mississippi.
http://www.littleriverbooks.com/photos/ReggieG010906Nowack.jpg
Here's another Mississippi River Tow with a fixed pilothouse (much more typical) again, showing the push knees are just flat on the front...there is no overlap with the barge.
http://www.littleriverbooks.com/photos/RCLoedding060506Richardson.jpg
In any event....are European push boats that much different where they overlap the barge or have structures on the barge to push against?
