46 CFR 136.250: Load line requirements for towing vessels

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section says when vessels described in Table 136.250 are subject to load line requirements in subchapter E of this chapter. It applies to vessels operating on the Great Lakes or outside the Boundary Lines. The table sets thresholds by voyage type, size and build date.

Applies toVessels described in Table 136.250 that operate on the Great Lakes or outside the Boundary Lines, as set forth in 46 CFR part 7.

What it says

  1. Vessels described in Table 136.250 that operate on the Great Lakes or outside the Boundary Lines are subject to load line requirements in subchapter E of this chapter in the circumstances the table lists.

    “Vessels described in Table 136.250 of this section that operate on the Great Lakes or outside the Boundary Lines, as set forth in 46 CFR part 7, are subject to load line requirements in subchapter E of this chapter”

  2. A vessel on an international voyage is subject to load line requirements if it is seventy nine (79) feet (24 meters) or more in length and built on or after July 21, 1968.

    46 CFR 136.250(a)(1)“Seventy nine (79) feet (24 meters) or more in length and built on or after July 21, 1968; or”

  3. A vessel on an international voyage is subject to load line requirements if it is one hundred and fifty (150) gross tons or more and was built before July 21, 1968.

    46 CFR 136.250(a)(2)“One hundred and fifty (150) gross tons or more if built before July 21, 1968.”

  4. A vessel on a domestic voyage is subject to load line requirements if it is seventy nine (79) feet (24 meters) or more in length and built on or after January 1, 1986.

    46 CFR 136.250(b)(1)“Seventy nine (79) feet (24 meters) or more in length and built on or after January 1, 1986; or”

  5. A vessel on a domestic voyage is subject to load line requirements if it is one hundred and fifty (150) gross tons or more and was built before January 1, 1986.

    46 CFR 136.250(b)(2)“One hundred and fifty (150) gross tons or more if built before January 1, 1986.”

Common questions

Which towing vessels need a load line on an international voyage?

Under the table, a vessel on an international voyage is subject if it is seventy nine (79) feet (24 meters) or more in length and built on or after July 21, 1968. A vessel built before that date is subject if it is one hundred and fifty (150) gross tons or more.

“Seventy nine (79) feet (24 meters) or more in length and built on or after July 21, 1968; or”

Which vessels need a load line on a domestic voyage?

A vessel on a domestic voyage is subject if it is seventy nine (79) feet (24 meters) or more in length and built on or after January 1, 1986. A vessel built before that date is subject if it is one hundred and fifty (150) gross tons or more.

“One hundred and fifty (150) gross tons or more if built before January 1, 1986.”

Where do the load line requirements for towing vessels come from?

The load line requirements are in subchapter E of this chapter. This section says which vessels operating on the Great Lakes or outside the Boundary Lines are subject to them.

“are subject to load line requirements in subchapter E of this chapter in the following circumstances:”

The text of 46 CFR 136.250

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

Load lines

Vessels described in Table 136.250 of this section that operate on the Great Lakes or outside the Boundary Lines, as set forth in 46 CFR part 7, are subject to load line requirements in subchapter E of this chapter in the following circumstances:

Table 136.250 A vessel that— Is subject to load line requirements in subchapter E of this chapter if it is— (a) Is on an international voyage— (1) Seventy nine (79) feet (24 meters) or more in length and built on or after July 21, 1968; or (2) One hundred and fifty (150) gross tons or more if built before July 21, 1968. (b) Is on a domestic voyage— (1) Seventy nine (79) feet (24 meters) or more in length and built on or after January 1, 1986; or (2) One hundred and fifty (150) gross tons or more if built before January 1, 1986.

Sections it refers to

  • 46 CFR part 7

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.