46 CFR 136.245: Excursion permits and temporary route changes

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section covers excursions by towing vessels. A towing vessel must get approval before carrying more persons than its COI permits or temporarily extending or altering its area of operation. The path to approval depends on whether a TSMS addresses the excursion.

Applies toTowing vessels that want to carry more persons than the COI permits or temporarily extend or alter their area of operation.

What it says

  1. A towing vessel must obtain approval before it carries more persons than its COI permits, or before it temporarily extends or alters its area of operation.

    46 CFR 136.245(a)“A towing vessel must obtain approval to engage in an excursion prior to carrying a greater number of persons than permitted by the COI”

  2. A vessel using the TSMS option may engage in an excursion only if all four conditions in paragraph (b) are met. The first is that the owner, managing operator, or master believes the operation can be undertaken safely.

    46 CFR 136.245(b)(1)“In the opinion of the owner, managing operator, or master the operation can be undertaken safely;”

  3. A second condition for a TSMS vessel is that the TSMS addresses the temporary excursion operation and the necessary conditions for safe operation. The TSMS must also address the number of persons, the crew required, and any additional lifesaving or safety equipment required.

    46 CFR 136.245(b)(2)“The TSMS addresses the temporary excursion operation contemplated; the necessary conditions under which the vessel may safely conduct the operation, including the number of persons the vessel may carry;”

  4. A fourth condition for a TSMS vessel is that the owner, managing operator, or master notifies the cognizant OCMI at least 48 hours before the temporary excursion operation.

    46 CFR 136.245(b)(4)“The owner, managing operator, or master notifies the cognizant OCMI at least 48 hours prior to the temporary excursion operation.”

  5. If the vessel is not under a TSMS, or its TSMS does not address the excursion, the owner or managing operator must submit an application to the cognizant OCMI.

    46 CFR 136.245(c)(1)“The owner or managing operator must submit an application to the cognizant OCMI.”

  6. The cognizant OCMI may issue the permit on Form CG-949 or in letter form. The permit will state the conditions, the number of persons, the crew, any extra equipment, the route, and the valid dates.

    46 CFR 136.245(c)(2)“The cognizant OCMI may issue the permit either on Form CG-949, “Permit To Carry Excursion Party,” or in letter form.”

  7. A vessel not under a TSMS covering the excursion may not engage in towing during the excursion, unless the cognizant OCMI determines it is safe to do so.

    46 CFR 136.245(c)(3)“The vessel may not engage in towing during the excursion, unless the cognizant OCMI determines it is safe to do so.”

  8. The cognizant OCMI may require a Coast Guard Marine Inspector to inspect the vessel, or a surveyor from a TPO to examine it, before the vessel proceeds.

    46 CFR 136.245(d)“The cognizant OCMI may require an inspection of the vessel by a Coast Guard Marine Inspector or an examination by a surveyor from a TPO prior to the vessel proceeding.”

Common questions

How much notice must a TSMS vessel give before an excursion?

The owner, managing operator, or master must notify the cognizant OCMI at least 48 hours before the temporary excursion operation.

“The owner, managing operator, or master notifies the cognizant OCMI at least 48 hours prior to the temporary excursion operation.”

How can I apply for an excursion permit?

The application may be made electronically, in writing, or orally.

“The application may be made electronically, in writing, or orally.”

Can a towing vessel tow during an excursion?

A vessel that is not under a TSMS covering the excursion may not tow during the excursion, unless the cognizant OCMI determines it is safe to do so.

“The vessel may not engage in towing during the excursion, unless the cognizant OCMI determines it is safe to do so.”

The text of 46 CFR 136.245

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

Permit to carry an excursion party or temporary extension or alteration of route

(a) A towing vessel must obtain approval to engage in an excursion prior to carrying a greater number of persons than permitted by the COI, or to temporarily extend or alter its area of operation.

(b) For a vessel utilizing the TSMS option, the vessel may engage in an excursion, if:

(1) In the opinion of the owner, managing operator, or master the operation can be undertaken safely;

(2) The TSMS addresses the temporary excursion operation contemplated; the necessary conditions under which the vessel may safely conduct the operation, including the number of persons the vessel may carry; the crew required; and any additional lifesaving or safety equipment required;

(3) The vessel proceeds as provided in the TSMS; and

(4) The owner, managing operator, or master notifies the cognizant OCMI at least 48 hours prior to the temporary excursion operation. The cognizant OCMI may require submission of pertinent provisions of the TSMS applicable to the vessel for review and onboard verification of compliance. If the cognizant OCMI has reasonable cause to believe that the TSMS applicable to the vessel is insufficient for the intended excursion, additional information may be requested and/or additional requirements may be imposed.

(c) If the towing vessel is not under a TSMS, or the TSMS applicable to the vessel does not address the temporary excursion operation:

(1) The owner or managing operator must submit an application to the cognizant OCMI. The application must state the intended route, number of passengers or guests, and any other conditions applicable to the excursion that exceed those specified in its COI.

(2) The cognizant OCMI may issue the permit either on Form CG-949, “Permit To Carry Excursion Party,” or in letter form. The cognizant OCMI will indicate on the permit the conditions under which it is issued, the number of persons the vessel may carry, the crew required, any additional lifesaving or safety equipment required, the route for which the permit is granted, and the dates on which the permit is valid. The application may be made electronically, in writing, or orally.

(3) The vessel may not engage in towing during the excursion, unless the cognizant OCMI determines it is safe to do so.

(d) The cognizant OCMI may require an inspection of the vessel by a Coast Guard Marine Inspector or an examination by a surveyor from a TPO prior to the vessel proceeding.

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.