46 CFR 136.105: Applicability of towing vessel requirements

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section says which vessels are covered by this subchapter. It applies to all U.S.-flag towing vessels engaged in pushing, pulling, or hauling alongside. Paragraph (a) lists eight exceptions, and paragraph (b) is reserved.

Applies toAll U.S.-flag towing vessels as defined in § 136.110 engaged in pushing, pulling, or hauling alongside, except the vessels listed in paragraph (a).

What it says

  1. This subchapter applies to all U.S.-flag towing vessels, as defined in § 136.110, that are engaged in pushing, pulling, or hauling alongside, except for the vessels listed in the section.

    46 CFR 136.105(a)“This subchapter is applicable to all U.S.-flag towing vessels as defined in § 136.110 engaged in pushing, pulling, or hauling alongside, except—”

  2. A vessel less than 26 feet (7.92 meters) in length is excepted, unless it is pushing, pulling, or hauling a barge carrying oil or hazardous material in bulk.

    46 CFR 136.105(a)(1)“A vessel less than 26 feet (7.92 meters) in length measured from end to end over the deck (excluding the sheer), unless that vessel is pushing, pulling, or hauling a barge that is carrying oil or hazardous material in bulk;”

  3. A vessel engaged in assistance towing as defined in § 136.110 is excepted.

    46 CFR 136.105(a)(2)(i)“Assistance towing as defined in § 136.110;”

  4. A workboat operating exclusively within a worksite and performing intermittent towing within the worksite is excepted.

    46 CFR 136.105(a)(3)“A workboat operating exclusively within a worksite and performing intermittent towing within the worksite;”

  5. A seagoing towing vessel of 300 gross tons or more that is subject to the provisions of subchapter I of this chapter is excepted.

    46 CFR 136.105(a)(4)“A seagoing towing vessel of 300 gross tons or more subject to the provisions of subchapter I of this chapter;”

  6. A vessel inspected under other subchapters of this chapter that may perform occasional towing is excepted.

    46 CFR 136.105(a)(5)“A vessel inspected under other subchapters of this chapter that may perform occasional towing;”

  7. A public vessel as defined in 46 U.S.C. 2101 is excepted.

    46 CFR 136.105(a)(6)“A public vessel as defined in 46 U.S.C. 2101;”

  8. A propulsion unit is excepted if it is controlled from the barge, is not normally manned, and is not used as an independent vessel.

    46 CFR 136.105(a)(8)“A propulsion unit used for the purpose of propelling or controlling the direction of a barge where the unit is controlled from the barge, is not normally manned, and is not utilized as an independent vessel.”

Common questions

Does Subchapter M apply to towing vessels under 26 feet?

A vessel less than 26 feet (7.92 meters) in length is excepted. It is not excepted if it is pushing, pulling, or hauling a barge carrying oil or hazardous material in bulk.

“A vessel less than 26 feet (7.92 meters) in length measured from end to end over the deck (excluding the sheer), unless that vessel is pushing, pulling, or hauling a barge that is carrying oil or hazardous material in bulk;”

Are public vessels covered by Subchapter M towing vessel rules?

No. A public vessel as defined in 46 U.S.C. 2101 is excepted from this subchapter.

“A public vessel as defined in 46 U.S.C. 2101;”

Does Subchapter M apply to workboats that tow within a worksite?

No, if the workboat operates exclusively within a worksite and performs only intermittent towing within it. That workboat is excepted.

“A workboat operating exclusively within a worksite and performing intermittent towing within the worksite;”

The text of 46 CFR 136.105

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

Applicability

(a) This subchapter is applicable to all U.S.-flag towing vessels as defined in § 136.110 engaged in pushing, pulling, or hauling alongside, except—

(1) A vessel less than 26 feet (7.92 meters) in length measured from end to end over the deck (excluding the sheer), unless that vessel is pushing, pulling, or hauling a barge that is carrying oil or hazardous material in bulk;

(2) A vessel engaged in one or more of the following:

(i) Assistance towing as defined in § 136.110;

(ii) Towing recreational vessels for salvage; or

(iii) Transporting or assisting the navigation of recreational vessels within and between marinas and marina facilities, within a limited geographic area, as determined by the local Captain of the Port (COTP);

(3) A workboat operating exclusively within a worksite and performing intermittent towing within the worksite;

(4) A seagoing towing vessel of 300 gross tons or more subject to the provisions of subchapter I of this chapter;

(5) A vessel inspected under other subchapters of this chapter that may perform occasional towing;

(6) A public vessel as defined in 46 U.S.C. 2101;

(7) A vessel that has surrendered its COI and is laid up, dismantled, or otherwise out of service; and

(8) A propulsion unit used for the purpose of propelling or controlling the direction of a barge where the unit is controlled from the barge, is not normally manned, and is not utilized as an independent vessel.

(b) [Reserved]

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.