46 CFR 136.215: Period of validity of towing vessel COI

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section sets how long a COI for a towing vessel stays valid. A COI is valid for 5 years from the date of issue. For a towing vessel utilizing the TSMS option, the COI is invalid if the owner or managing operator TSMS certificate or the ISM Code Certificate expires or is revoked. The cognizant Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection may also suspend and withdraw or revoke a COI for noncompliance.

Applies toThis section applies to a COI for a towing vessel, and paragraph (b) applies only to a towing vessel utilizing the TSMS option.

What it says

  1. A COI for a towing vessel is valid for 5 years from the date of issue.

    46 CFR 136.215(a)“A COI for a towing vessel is valid for 5 years from the date of issue.”

  2. For a towing vessel utilizing the TSMS option, the COI is invalid when the owner or managing operator TSMS certificate or the ISM Code Certificate expires or is revoked.

    46 CFR 136.215(b)“the COI is invalid upon the expiration or revocation of the owner or managing operator TSMS certificate or the ISM Code Certificate.”

  3. The cognizant Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection may suspend and withdraw or revoke a COI at any time for noncompliance with the requirements of this subchapter.

    46 CFR 136.215(c)“A COI may be suspended and withdrawn or revoked by the cognizant Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection at any time for noncompliance with the requirements of this subchapter.”

Common questions

How long is a towing vessel COI valid?

A COI for a towing vessel is valid for 5 years from the date of issue.

“A COI for a towing vessel is valid for 5 years from the date of issue.”

When does a COI become invalid for a towing vessel using the TSMS option?

For a towing vessel utilizing the TSMS option, the COI is invalid when the owner or managing operator TSMS certificate or the ISM Code Certificate expires or is revoked.

“the COI is invalid upon the expiration or revocation of the owner or managing operator TSMS certificate or the ISM Code Certificate.”

Can a towing vessel COI be revoked before it expires?

Yes. The cognizant Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection may suspend and withdraw or revoke a COI at any time for noncompliance with the requirements of this subchapter.

“A COI may be suspended and withdrawn or revoked by the cognizant Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection at any time for noncompliance with the requirements of this subchapter.”

The text of 46 CFR 136.215

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

Period of validity

(a) A COI for a towing vessel is valid for 5 years from the date of issue.

(b) For a towing vessel utilizing the TSMS option, the COI is invalid upon the expiration or revocation of the owner or managing operator TSMS certificate or the ISM Code Certificate.

(c) A COI may be suspended and withdrawn or revoked by the cognizant Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection at any time for noncompliance with the requirements of this subchapter.

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.