46 CFR 137.200: Annual Coast Guard inspection for towing vessels
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section covers the annual inspection for towing vessels that choose, or are required to have, the Coast Guard inspection option. The vessel must undergo the inspection within 3 months before or after the COI anniversary date. Owners must schedule it with the OCMI and make any repairs the OCMI specifies.
Applies toA towing vessel subject to this subchapter that chooses the Coast Guard inspection option or is required to have it.
What it says
A towing vessel on the Coast Guard inspection option must undergo an annual inspection within 3 months before or after the COI anniversary date.
“must undergo an annual inspection within 3 months before or after the COI anniversary date.”
Owners and managing operators must contact the cognizant OCMI to schedule the inspection at a time and place the OCMI approves. No written application is required.
46 CFR 137.200(a)“Owners and managing operators must contact the cognizant Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI) to schedule an inspection at a time and place the OCMI approves.”
Annual inspections are similar to the inspection for certification but cover less detail, unless the marine inspector finds deficiencies or determines that a major change has occurred since the last inspection.
46 CFR 137.200(b)“Annual inspections will be similar to the inspection for certification but will cover less detail unless the marine inspector finds deficiencies or determines that a major change has occurred since the last inspection.”
If the vessel passes the annual inspection, the Coast Guard will endorse the vessel's current Certificate of Inspection (COI).
46 CFR 137.200(b)“If the vessel passes the annual inspection, the Coast Guard will endorse the vessel's current Certificate of Inspection (COI).”
If the annual inspection reveals the need, the owner or managing operator must make any or all repairs or improvements within the time period the OCMI specifies.
46 CFR 137.200(c)“the owner or managing operator must make any or all repairs or improvements within the time period specified by the OCMI.”
The OCMI may use Form CG-835 to record deficiencies and will give a copy of the completed form to the master of the vessel.
46 CFR 137.200(c)“The OCMI may use Form CG-835, “Notice of Merchant Marine Inspection Requirements,” to record deficiencies discovered during the inspection.”
Nothing in this subpart limits the marine inspector from conducting any tests or inspections he or she deems necessary to be assured of the vessel's seaworthiness or fitness for its route and service.
46 CFR 137.200(d)“Nothing in this subpart limits the marine inspector from conducting any tests or inspections he or she deems necessary to be assured of the vessel's seaworthiness or fitness for its route and service.”
Common questions
How often is the Coast Guard inspection for towing vessels required?
The vessel must undergo an annual inspection within 3 months before or after the COI anniversary date.
“must undergo an annual inspection within 3 months before or after the COI anniversary date.”
Do I need a written application to schedule a towing vessel annual inspection?
No. Owners and managing operators must contact the cognizant OCMI to schedule the inspection, and no written application is required.
“No written application is required.”
What happens if a marine inspector finds deficiencies during the annual inspection?
The marine inspector will conduct a more detailed inspection to ensure the vessel is in satisfactory condition and fit for its intended service.
“he or she will conduct a more detailed inspection to ensure that the vessel is in satisfactory condition and fit for the service for which it is intended.”
What is Form CG-835 used for in a towing vessel inspection?
The OCMI may use Form CG-835 to record deficiencies discovered during the inspection. The OCMI will then give a copy of the completed form to the master of the vessel.
“The OCMI will then give a copy of the completed form to the master of the vessel.”
The text of 46 CFR 137.200
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Documenting compliance for the Coast Guard inspection option
A towing vessel subject to this subchapter and choosing the Coast Guard inspection option, or required to have the Coast Guard inspection option, must undergo an annual inspection within 3 months before or after the COI anniversary date.
(a) Owners and managing operators must contact the cognizant Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI) to schedule an inspection at a time and place the OCMI approves. No written application is required.
(b) Annual inspections will be similar to the inspection for certification but will cover less detail unless the marine inspector finds deficiencies or determines that a major change has occurred since the last inspection. If the marine inspector finds deficiencies or finds that a major change to the vessel has occurred, he or she will conduct a more detailed inspection to ensure that the vessel is in satisfactory condition and fit for the service for which it is intended. If the vessel passes the annual inspection, the Coast Guard will endorse the vessel's current Certificate of Inspection (COI).
(c) If the annual inspection reveals the need, the owner or managing operator must make any or all repairs or improvements within the time period specified by the OCMI. The OCMI may use Form CG-835, “Notice of Merchant Marine Inspection Requirements,” to record deficiencies discovered during the inspection. The OCMI will then give a copy of the completed form to the master of the vessel.
(d) Nothing in this subpart limits the marine inspector from conducting any tests or inspections he or she deems necessary to be assured of the vessel's seaworthiness or fitness for its route and service.
Guides that cite this section
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.