33 CFR 155.235: Emergency towing arrangements on oil tankers
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section requires an emergency towing arrangement on oil tankers of not less than 20,000 deadweight tons (dwt). Newer tankers must have it fitted at both ends. Older tankers must be fitted at the first scheduled dry-docking, but not later than January 1, 1999.
Applies toOil tankers of not less than 20,000 deadweight tons (dwt).
What it says
All oil tankers of not less than 20,000 deadweight tons (dwt), constructed on or after September 30, 1997, must have an emergency towing arrangement fitted at both ends.
“An emergency towing arrangement shall be fitted at both ends on board all oil tankers of not less than 20,000 deadweight tons (dwt), constructed on or after September 30, 1997.”
Oil tankers constructed before September 30, 1997 must be fitted with the arrangement at the first scheduled dry-docking, but not later than January 1, 1999.
“For oil tankers constructed before September 30, 1997, such an arrangement shall be fitted at the first scheduled dry-docking, but not later than January 1, 1999.”
The towing arrangement must be designed and built in accordance with IMO resolution MSC.35(63), which is incorporated by reference; the text points to § 155.140.
“The design and construction of the towing arrangement shall be in accordance with IMO resolution MSC.35(63) (incorporated by reference; see § 155.140).”
Common questions
Which oil tankers need an emergency towing arrangement?
The text names oil tankers of not less than 20,000 deadweight tons (dwt). Those constructed on or after September 30, 1997 must have the arrangement fitted at both ends.
“An emergency towing arrangement shall be fitted at both ends on board all oil tankers of not less than 20,000 deadweight tons (dwt), constructed on or after September 30, 1997.”
When must older oil tankers be fitted with an emergency towing arrangement?
Tankers constructed before September 30, 1997 must be fitted at the first scheduled dry-docking, but not later than January 1, 1999.
“For oil tankers constructed before September 30, 1997, such an arrangement shall be fitted at the first scheduled dry-docking, but not later than January 1, 1999.”
What standard governs the design of the emergency towing arrangement?
The design and construction must be in accordance with IMO resolution MSC.35(63). The text says it is incorporated by reference and refers to § 155.140.
“The design and construction of the towing arrangement shall be in accordance with IMO resolution MSC.35(63) (incorporated by reference; see § 155.140).”
The text of 33 CFR 155.235
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Emergency towing capability for oil tankers
An emergency towing arrangement shall be fitted at both ends on board all oil tankers of not less than 20,000 deadweight tons (dwt), constructed on or after September 30, 1997. For oil tankers constructed before September 30, 1997, such an arrangement shall be fitted at the first scheduled dry-docking, but not later than January 1, 1999. The design and construction of the towing arrangement shall be in accordance with IMO resolution MSC.35(63) (incorporated by reference; see § 155.140).
Sections it refers to
The plain-English explanation on this page was written with AI from the regulation text above and checked automatically before publishing: every quote appears in the text, every number comes from it, and a second model confirmed each statement adds nothing the text doesn't say. Regulation text current as of April 16, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.