46 CFR 137.130: Vessel compliance program for the TSMS option

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section covers the vessel compliance program for towing vessels that use the TSMS option. The owner or managing operator must implement an external or internal survey program. Each program must include the five elements listed in paragraph (c).

Applies toThe section applies to the owner or managing operator of a towing vessel choosing to use the TSMS option.

What it says

  1. The owner or managing operator of a towing vessel choosing to use the TSMS option must implement an external or internal survey program for vessel compliance.

    “The owner or managing operator of a towing vessel choosing to use the TSMS option must implement an external or internal survey program for vessel compliance.”

  2. In an external survey program, the owner or managing operator would have a third-party organization (TPO) conduct the surveys required by § 137.205, the examinations required by § 137.310, or both.

    46 CFR 137.130(a)“An external survey program, in which the owner or managing operator would have a third-party organization (TPO) conduct either the surveys required by § 137.205, the examinations required by § 137.310, or both; or”

  3. In an internal survey program, the owner or managing operator would conduct the surveys required by § 137.210, the examinations required by § 137.315, or both, using internal resources or contracted surveyors.

    46 CFR 137.130(b)“An internal survey program, in which the owner or managing operator would conduct either the surveys required by § 137.210, the examinations required by § 137.315, or both, using internal resources or contracted surveyors.”

  4. An internal survey program would be conducted with the oversight of a TPO.

    46 CFR 137.130(b)“The internal survey program would be conducted with the oversight of a TPO.”

  5. Each program of either type must include owner or managing operator policy regarding the surveying and examination of towing vessels.

    46 CFR 137.130(c)(1)“Owner or managing operator policy regarding the surveying and examination of towing vessels;”

  6. Each program must include procedures for conducting towing vessel surveys and examinations, as described in this part.

    46 CFR 137.130(c)(2)“Procedures for conducting towing vessel surveys and examinations, as described in this part;”

  7. Each program must include procedures for reporting and correcting non-conformities and deficiencies.

    46 CFR 137.130(c)(3)“Procedures for reporting and correcting non-conformities and deficiencies;”

  8. Each program must identify the individual or individuals responsible for managing the program, and their qualifications, and must include documentation of compliance activities.

    46 CFR 137.130(c)(4)“Identification of the individual or individuals responsible for the management of the program, and their qualifications; and”

Common questions

What kinds of vessel compliance programs can a TSMS towing vessel use?

The program can be either an external survey program or an internal survey program.

“The program for vessel compliance can be either:”

Who conducts surveys in an external survey program under the TSMS option?

The owner or managing operator would have a third-party organization (TPO) conduct the surveys, the examinations, or both.

“in which the owner or managing operator would have a third-party organization (TPO) conduct either the surveys required by § 137.205, the examinations required by § 137.310, or both”

Does an internal survey program need a third party?

Yes, in part. The internal survey program would be conducted with the oversight of a TPO.

“The internal survey program would be conducted with the oversight of a TPO.”

What must a TSMS vessel compliance program include?

Each program must include policy, procedures for surveys and examinations, procedures for reporting and correcting non-conformities and deficiencies, identified responsible individuals and their qualifications, and documentation of compliance activities.

“Documentation of compliance activities.”

The text of 46 CFR 137.130

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

Program for vessel compliance for the Towing Safety Management System (TSMS) option

The owner or managing operator of a towing vessel choosing to use the TSMS option must implement an external or internal survey program for vessel compliance. The program for vessel compliance can be either:

(a) An external survey program, in which the owner or managing operator would have a third-party organization (TPO) conduct either the surveys required by § 137.205, the examinations required by § 137.310, or both; or

(b) An internal survey program, in which the owner or managing operator would conduct either the surveys required by § 137.210, the examinations required by § 137.315, or both, using internal resources or contracted surveyors. The internal survey program would be conducted with the oversight of a TPO.

(c) Each program of either type must include:

(1) Owner or managing operator policy regarding the surveying and examination of towing vessels;

(2) Procedures for conducting towing vessel surveys and examinations, as described in this part;

(3) Procedures for reporting and correcting non-conformities and deficiencies;

(4) Identification of the individual or individuals responsible for the management of the program, and their qualifications; and

(5) Documentation of compliance activities.

Sections it refers to

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.