46 CFR 136.230: Permitted routes for towing vessels

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section says the cognizant OCMI decides where a towing vessel may operate and records the route and any limits on the vessel's COI. A vessel may generally operate on a route of lesser severity unless the COI expressly prohibits it. The section also lists factors the OCMI may consider when setting a route.

Applies toTowing vessels, whose area of operation is determined by the cognizant OCMI and recorded on the vessel's COI.

What it says

  1. The cognizant OCMI determines each towing vessel's area of operation and any necessary operational limits and records them on the vessel's COI.

    46 CFR 136.230(a)“The area of operation for each towing vessel and any necessary operational limits are determined by the cognizant OCMI and recorded on the vessel's COI.”

  2. Each route is described on the COI under one of these major headings, as applicable: "Oceans," "Coastwise," "Limited Coastwise," "Great Lakes," "Lakes, Bays, and Sounds," or "Rivers."

    46 CFR 136.230(a)“Each area of operation, referred to as a route, is described on the COI under the major headings “Oceans,” “Coastwise,” “Limited Coastwise,” “Great Lakes,” “Lakes, Bays, and Sounds,” or “Rivers,” as applicable.”

  3. A towing vessel may operate on a route of lesser severity than those described or designated on the COI, unless the COI expressly prohibits that route.

    46 CFR 136.230(b)“Operation of a towing vessel on a route of lesser severity than those specifically described or designated on the COI is permitted, unless the route is expressly prohibited on the COI.”

  4. The general order of decreasing severity is: Oceans; coastwise; limited coastwise; Great Lakes; lakes, bays, and sounds; and rivers.

    46 CFR 136.230(b)“The general order of decreasing severity of routes is: Oceans; coastwise; limited coastwise; Great Lakes; lakes, bays, and sounds; and rivers.”

  5. The cognizant OCMI may prohibit a vessel from operating on a route of lesser severity than its primary route if local conditions necessitate the restriction.

    46 CFR 136.230(b)“The cognizant OCMI may prohibit a vessel from operating on a route of lesser severity than the primary route on which a vessel is authorized to operate, if local conditions necessitate such a restriction.”

  6. When designating a route or imposing operational limits, the cognizant OCMI may consider the route-specific requirements of this subchapter.

    46 CFR 136.230(c)“When designating a permitted route or imposing any operational limits on a towing vessel, the cognizant OCMI may consider:”

  7. The OCMI may also consider the TSMS applicable to the vessel, if the vessel has one.

    46 CFR 136.230(c)(5)“The TSMS applicable to the vessel, if the vessel has one.”

Common questions

Who decides where a towing vessel can operate?

The cognizant OCMI determines the vessel's area of operation and any necessary operational limits. These are recorded on the vessel's COI.

“The area of operation for each towing vessel and any necessary operational limits are determined by the cognizant OCMI and recorded on the vessel's COI.”

Can a towing vessel operate on a route less severe than the one on its COI?

Yes, it is permitted unless the COI expressly prohibits that route. The cognizant OCMI may also prohibit it if local conditions necessitate a restriction.

“Operation of a towing vessel on a route of lesser severity than those specifically described or designated on the COI is permitted, unless the route is expressly prohibited on the COI.”

What is the order of towing vessel routes from most to least severe?

The general order of decreasing severity is Oceans; coastwise; limited coastwise; Great Lakes; lakes, bays, and sounds; and rivers.

“The general order of decreasing severity of routes is: Oceans; coastwise; limited coastwise; Great Lakes; lakes, bays, and sounds; and rivers.”

The text of 46 CFR 136.230

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

Routes permitted

(a) The area of operation for each towing vessel and any necessary operational limits are determined by the cognizant OCMI and recorded on the vessel's COI. Each area of operation, referred to as a route, is described on the COI under the major headings “Oceans,” “Coastwise,” “Limited Coastwise,” “Great Lakes,” “Lakes, Bays, and Sounds,” or “Rivers,” as applicable. Additional limitations imposed or extensions granted are described by reference to bodies of waters, geographical points, distances from geographical points, distances from land, depths of channel, seasonal limitations, and similar factors.

(b) Operation of a towing vessel on a route of lesser severity than those specifically described or designated on the COI is permitted, unless the route is expressly prohibited on the COI. The general order of decreasing severity of routes is: Oceans; coastwise; limited coastwise; Great Lakes; lakes, bays, and sounds; and rivers. The cognizant OCMI may prohibit a vessel from operating on a route of lesser severity than the primary route on which a vessel is authorized to operate, if local conditions necessitate such a restriction.

(c) When designating a permitted route or imposing any operational limits on a towing vessel, the cognizant OCMI may consider:

(1) The route-specific requirements of this subchapter;

(2) The performance capabilities of the vessel based on design, scantlings, stability, subdivision, propulsion, speed, operating modes, maneuverability, and other characteristics;

(3) The suitability of the vessel for nighttime operations and use in all weather conditions;

(4) Vessel operations in globally remote areas or severe environments not covered by this subchapter. Such areas may include, but are not limited to, polar regions, remote islands, areas of extreme weather, or other remote areas where timely emergency assistance cannot be anticipated; and

(5) The TSMS applicable to the vessel, if the vessel has one.

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.