33 CFR 164.76: Gear for towing alongside and pushing ahead

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section covers the face wires, spring lines, and push gear used when a vessel tows alongside or pushes ahead. The owner, master, or operator must ensure the gear fits the vessel's horsepower and the tow arrangement. The gear must also be frequently inspected and remain serviceable.

Applies toThe owner, master, or operator of each vessel towing alongside or pushing ahead.

What it says

  1. The owner, master, or operator of each vessel towing alongside or pushing ahead must ensure that the face wires, spring lines, and push gear used meet four conditions: they are appropriate for the vessel's horsepower and for the arrangement of the tow, they are frequently inspected, and they remain serviceable.

    “The owner, master, or operator of each vessel towing alongside or pushing ahead shall ensure that the face wires, spring lines, and push gear used—”

  2. The face wires, spring lines, and push gear must be appropriate for the vessel's horsepower.

    33 CFR 164.76(a)“Are appropriate for the vessel's horsepower;”

  3. The face wires, spring lines, and push gear must be appropriate for the arrangement of the tow.

    33 CFR 164.76(b)“Are appropriate for the arrangement of the tow;”

Common questions

Who must make sure towing alongside or pushing ahead gear is adequate?

The owner, master, or operator of each vessel towing alongside or pushing ahead must ensure the gear meets the section's conditions.

“The owner, master, or operator of each vessel towing alongside or pushing ahead shall ensure that the face wires, spring lines, and push gear used—”

What gear does 33 CFR 164.76 cover?

It covers the face wires, spring lines, and push gear used when towing alongside or pushing ahead.

“shall ensure that the face wires, spring lines, and push gear used—”

How often must face wires, spring lines, and push gear be inspected?

The gear must be frequently inspected under this section. The text gives no specific interval.

“The owner, master, or operator of each vessel towing alongside or pushing ahead shall ensure that the face wires, spring lines, and push gear used—”

The text of 33 CFR 164.76

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

Towline and terminal gear for towing alongside and pushing ahead

The owner, master, or operator of each vessel towing alongside or pushing ahead shall ensure that the face wires, spring lines, and push gear used—

(a) Are appropriate for the vessel's horsepower;

(b) Are appropriate for the arrangement of the tow;

(c) Are frequently inspected; and

(d) Remain serviceable.

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.