im pretty sure its not necessary, no one on my team has ever used one and i dont think my coach uses one either; it will only get in your way... but thats just a guess.
also when you need a bowline you can use ur main sheet; take it out of the blocks and tie it around your mast and give the other end to whoever is towing you
also when you need a bowline you can use ur main sheet; take it out of the blocks and tie it around your mast and give the other end to whoever is towing you
im pretty sure none of those thing are "mandatory" but some are recommended. Bringing an oar on your boat will just get in your way, if ur not moving you can pump your boat
It will all depend where you are. This type of equipment comes under the state, province, national safety equipment requirements, potentially even club requirements and not under Laser Class rules. Having said that, unless that safety equipment is mandatory, it's likely to be illegal on a laser. Your best finding out this info from your sailing bodies, rather than the class. What applies in one district or even part of a district may not apply in another.
In my experience, the SI's usually state if you need a tow line, and if you do need one, it can usually be part of your rigging (i.e mainsheet) I have, however been to one regatta (Canadian Youth Champs) where it specified that the towline could not be part of the running rigging (i.e. Mainsheet :-P )
I have seen that also in SIs. I believe at San Diego Yacht Club, where the tow to the (ocean) course is a long way out. In fact, my boat had a bundle of polypro wrapped up in the bottom of the fat bag for just that reason when I bought it. It doesn't really get in my way there (I only recently took it out), doesn't soak up water, and really doesn't weight anything. Most of all, if I need it, I don't have to worry about having a string of boats hanging on my mainsheet in ocean waves.