33 CFR 155.785: Communications during vessel to vessel transfers

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section sets communication requirements for vessel to vessel transfers. Each tank vessel with a capacity of 250 or more barrels of cargo that is carrying oil or hazardous material must have a means of continuous two-way voice communication between the persons in charge of the transfer operations on both vessels. The means must work in all phases of the transfer and all weather, and portable radios have added requirements.

Applies toEach tank vessel with a capacity of 250 or more barrels of cargo that is carrying oil or hazardous material, during vessel to vessel transfers, and each vessel for the signaling means in paragraph (b).

What it says

  1. During vessel to vessel transfers, each tank vessel with a capacity of 250 or more barrels of cargo that is carrying oil or hazardous material must have a means of continuous two-way voice communication between the persons in charge of the transfer operations on both vessels.

    33 CFR 155.785(a)“each tank vessel with a capacity of 250 or more barrels of cargo that is carrying oil or hazardous material must have a means that enables continuous two-way voice communication”

  2. Each vessel must have a means, which may be the communication system itself, that enables a person on board each vessel to effectively indicate his desire to use the means of communication required by paragraph (a).

    33 CFR 155.785(b)“Each vessel must have a means, which may be the communication system itself, that enables a person on board each vessel to effectively indicate his desire”

  3. The means required by paragraph (a) must be usable and effective in all phases of the transfer operation and all conditions of weather.

    33 CFR 155.785(c)“must be usable and effective in all phases of the transfer operation and all conditions of weather.”

  4. Portable radio devices used to comply with paragraph (a) during the transfer of flammable or combustible liquids must be intrinsically safe, as defined in 46 CFR 110.15-100(i), and meet Class I, Division I, Group D requirements as defined in 46 CFR 111.80.

    33 CFR 155.785(d)“must be intrinsically safe, as defined in 46 CFR 110.15-100(i), and meet Class I, Division I, Group D requirements as defined in 46 CFR 111.80.”

Common questions

What communication is required during vessel to vessel oil transfers?

Each tank vessel with a capacity of 250 or more barrels of cargo that is carrying oil or hazardous material must have a means of continuous two-way voice communication between the persons in charge of the transfer operations on both vessels.

“each tank vessel with a capacity of 250 or more barrels of cargo that is carrying oil or hazardous material must have a means that enables continuous two-way voice communication”

Does the communication system have to work in bad weather?

Yes. The means required by paragraph (a) must be usable and effective in all phases of the transfer operation and all conditions of weather.

“must be usable and effective in all phases of the transfer operation and all conditions of weather.”

What standard must portable radios meet during transfers of flammable or combustible liquids?

Portable radio devices used to comply with paragraph (a) must be intrinsically safe, as defined in 46 CFR 110.15-100(i). They must also meet Class I, Division I, Group D requirements as defined in 46 CFR 111.80.

“must be intrinsically safe, as defined in 46 CFR 110.15-100(i), and meet Class I, Division I, Group D requirements as defined in 46 CFR 111.80.”

The text of 33 CFR 155.785

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR

Communications

(a) During vessel to vessel transfers, each tank vessel with a capacity of 250 or more barrels of cargo that is carrying oil or hazardous material must have a means that enables continuous two-way voice communication between the persons in charge of the transfer operations on both vessels.

(b) Each vessel must have a means, which may be the communication system itself, that enables a person on board each vessel to effectively indicate his desire to use the means of communication required by paragraph (a) of this section.

(c) The means required by paragraph (a) of this section must be usable and effective in all phases of the transfer operation and all conditions of weather.

(d) Portable radio devices used to comply with paragraph (a) of this section during the transfer of flammable or combustible liquids must be intrinsically safe, as defined in 46 CFR 110.15-100(i), and meet Class I, Division I, Group D requirements as defined in 46 CFR 111.80.

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.