46 CFR 136.220: Posting the COI on towing vessels
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section covers how a towing vessel must display its original COI. The original COI must be framed under glass or other transparent material and posted in a conspicuous place onboard. If posting is impracticable, the COI must be kept on board in a weathertight container.
Applies toThe section applies to the original COI onboard a towing vessel.
What it says
The original COI must be framed under glass or other transparent material.
46 CFR 136.220(a)“The original COI must be framed under glass or other transparent material”
The original COI must be posted in a conspicuous place onboard the towing vessel.
46 CFR 136.220(a)“posted in a conspicuous place onboard the towing vessel”
If posting is impracticable, the COI must be kept on board in a weathertight container.
46 CFR 136.220(b)“If posting is impracticable, the COI must be kept on board in a weathertight container”
When the COI is kept in a weathertight container instead of being posted, it must be readily available.
46 CFR 136.220(b)“must be kept on board in a weathertight container and must be readily available.”
Common questions
How must the COI be displayed on a towing vessel?
The original COI must be framed under glass or other transparent material. It must be posted in a conspicuous place onboard the towing vessel.
“The original COI must be framed under glass or other transparent material and posted in a conspicuous place onboard the towing vessel.”
What if the COI cannot be posted on a towing vessel?
If posting is impracticable, the COI must be kept on board in a weathertight container. It must also be readily available.
“If posting is impracticable, the COI must be kept on board in a weathertight container and must be readily available.”
The text of 46 CFR 136.220
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Posting
(a) The original COI must be framed under glass or other transparent material and posted in a conspicuous place onboard the towing vessel.
(b) If posting is impracticable, the COI must be kept on board in a weathertight container and must be readily available.
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.