46 CFR 137.205: External survey program for towing vessels
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section covers owners or managing operators of towing vessels that selected the TSMS option and chose to demonstrate compliance through an external survey program. They must have the vessel surveyed annually by a TPO surveyor. The TPO must issue a report that meets § 137.135.
Applies toThe owner or managing operator of a towing vessel that has selected the TSMS option and has chosen to demonstrate compliance through an external survey program.
What it says
The owner or managing operator must have the vessel surveyed annually by a surveyor from a TPO.
46 CFR 137.205(a)(1)“Have the vessel surveyed annually by a surveyor from a TPO;”
The owner or managing operator must ensure the survey is conducted in accordance with § 137.215.
46 CFR 137.205(a)(2)“Ensure the survey is conducted in accordance with § 137.215;”
The owner or managing operator must ensure the survey is conducted within 3 months of the anniversary date of the COI.
46 CFR 137.205(a)(3)“Ensure the survey is conducted within 3 months of the anniversary date of the COI;”
The owner or managing operator must ensure the TSMS applicable to the vessel includes policies and procedures for complying with this section.
46 CFR 137.205(a)(4)“Ensure the TSMS applicable to the vessel includes policies and procedures for complying with this section; and”
The owner or managing operator must make the applicable sections of the TSMS available to the surveyor.
46 CFR 137.205(a)(5)“Make the applicable sections of the TSMS available to the surveyor.”
The TPO must issue a report that meets the requirements in § 137.135.
46 CFR 137.205(b)“The TPO must issue a report that meets the requirements in § 137.135.”
Common questions
How often must a towing vessel in an external survey program be surveyed?
The vessel must be surveyed annually by a surveyor from a TPO.
“Have the vessel surveyed annually by a surveyor from a TPO;”
When must the external survey take place relative to the COI?
The survey must be conducted within 3 months of the anniversary date of the COI.
“Ensure the survey is conducted within 3 months of the anniversary date of the COI;”
Who issues the report after an external survey?
The TPO must issue a report that meets the requirements in § 137.135.
“The TPO must issue a report that meets the requirements in § 137.135.”
The text of 46 CFR 137.205
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
External survey program
(a) The owner or managing operator of a towing vessel that has selected the TSMS option and who has chosen to demonstrate compliance through an external survey program must:
(1) Have the vessel surveyed annually by a surveyor from a TPO;
(2) Ensure the survey is conducted in accordance with § 137.215;
(3) Ensure the survey is conducted within 3 months of the anniversary date of the COI;
(4) Ensure the TSMS applicable to the vessel includes policies and procedures for complying with this section; and
(5) Make the applicable sections of the TSMS available to the surveyor.
(b) The TPO must issue a report that meets the requirements in § 137.135.
Sections it refers to
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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.