46 CFR 136.212: Inspection of towing vessels for certification

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section sets how the OCMI inspects towing vessels for certification. After the initial COI, the OCMI will inspect a towing vessel at least once every 5 years. The OCMI issues a new COI once the vessel successfully completes the inspection.

Applies toTowing vessels subject to this subchapter that have received an initial COI and are located in the OCMI's jurisdiction.

What it says

  1. After a towing vessel receives its initial COI, the OCMI will inspect a towing vessel subject to this subchapter in his or her jurisdiction at least once every 5 years.

    46 CFR 136.212(a)“After a towing vessel receives its initial COI, the OCMI will inspect a towing vessel subject to this subchapter located in his or her jurisdiction at least once every 5 years.”

  2. The OCMI must ensure that every towing vessel is of a structure suitable for its intended route.

    46 CFR 136.212(a)“The OCMI must ensure that every towing vessel is of a structure suitable for its intended route.”

  3. If the OCMI deems it necessary, he or she may direct the vessel to get underway and may adopt any other suitable means to test the towing vessel and its equipment.

    46 CFR 136.212(a)“If the OCMI deems it necessary, he or she may direct the vessel to get underway, and may adopt any other suitable means to test the towing vessel and its equipment.”

  4. The inspection will ensure the vessel is in satisfactory condition, fit for its intended service, and compliant with the applicable statutes and regulations for such vessels.

    46 CFR 136.212(b)“The inspection will ensure that the vessel is in satisfactory condition and fit for the service for which it is intended, and that it complies with the applicable statutes and regulations for such vessels.”

  5. The inspection will also determine that the vessel has any valid Federal Communications Commission certificates or licenses, if required.

    46 CFR 136.212(b)“The inspection will also determine that the vessel is in possession of any valid certificates or licenses issued by the Federal Communications Commission, if required.”

  6. The OCMI will issue a new COI after the vessel successfully completes the inspection for certification.

    46 CFR 136.212(c)“The OCMI will issue a vessel a new COI after the vessel successfully completes the inspection for certification.”

Common questions

How often are towing vessels inspected for certification?

After the initial COI, the OCMI will inspect a towing vessel subject to this subchapter in his or her jurisdiction at least once every 5 years.

“After a towing vessel receives its initial COI, the OCMI will inspect a towing vessel subject to this subchapter located in his or her jurisdiction at least once every 5 years.”

When does the OCMI issue a new COI?

The OCMI will issue a new COI after the vessel successfully completes the inspection for certification.

“The OCMI will issue a vessel a new COI after the vessel successfully completes the inspection for certification.”

Can the OCMI make a towing vessel get underway during inspection?

Yes, if the OCMI deems it necessary, he or she may direct the vessel to get underway. The OCMI may also adopt any other suitable means to test the vessel and its equipment.

“If the OCMI deems it necessary, he or she may direct the vessel to get underway, and may adopt any other suitable means to test the towing vessel and its equipment.”

The text of 46 CFR 136.212

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

Inspection for certification

(a) Frequency of inspections. After a towing vessel receives its initial COI, the OCMI will inspect a towing vessel subject to this subchapter located in his or her jurisdiction at least once every 5 years. The OCMI must ensure that every towing vessel is of a structure suitable for its intended route. If the OCMI deems it necessary, he or she may direct the vessel to get underway, and may adopt any other suitable means to test the towing vessel and its equipment.

(b) Nature of inspection. The inspection will ensure that the vessel is in satisfactory condition and fit for the service for which it is intended, and that it complies with the applicable statutes and regulations for such vessels. The inspection will include inspections of the structure, pressure vessels and their appurtenances, piping, main and auxiliary machinery, electrical installations, lifesaving appliances, fire detecting and extinguishing equipment, pilot boarding equipment, and other equipment. The inspection will also determine that the vessel is in possession of any valid certificates or licenses issued by the Federal Communications Commission, if required. The inspection will also include an examination of the vessel's lights, means of making sound signals and distress signals, and pollution prevention systems and procedures.

(c) Time of issuance of COI. The OCMI will issue a vessel a new COI after the vessel successfully completes the inspection for certification.

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.