46 CFR 137.215: General conduct of towing vessel surveys

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section sets out how a surveyor conducts a survey of a towing vessel under this subpart. The surveyor must check that items and systems work as designed and safely, and the survey must address the items in § 137.220 as applicable. The owner or managing operator must notify the cognizant OCMI of unsafe conditions.

Applies toSurveys of towing vessels required by this subpart, and the owner or managing operator of the vessel.

What it says

  1. The surveyor must determine that each item or system works as designed, is free of defects or modifications that reduce its effectiveness, is suitable for the service intended, and works safely for the vessel type, service and route.

    46 CFR 137.215(a)“the surveyor must determine that the item or system functions as designed, is free of defects or modifications that reduce its effectiveness, is suitable for the service intended”

  2. The survey must address the items in § 137.220 as applicable, and must include a review of certificates and documentation held on the vessel.

    46 CFR 137.215(b)(1)“A review of certificates and documentation held on the vessel;”

  3. The survey must include a visual examination and tests of the vessel, its equipment and its systems to confirm that their condition is properly maintained and that proper quantities are onboard.

    46 CFR 137.215(b)(2)“A visual examination and tests of the vessel and its equipment and systems in order to confirm that their condition is properly maintained and that proper quantities are onboard;”

  4. The survey must include a visual examination to confirm that unapproved modifications were not made to the vessel or its equipment.

    46 CFR 137.215(b)(4)“A visual examination to confirm that unapproved modifications were not made to the vessel or its equipment.”

  5. If a surveyor finds multiple deficiencies indicative of systematic failures to maintain the installed equipment, the surveyor will conduct an expanded examination to ensure all deficiencies are identified and corrective action is promptly taken.

    46 CFR 137.215(c)“he or she will conduct an expanded examination to ensure all deficiencies are identified and corrective action is promptly taken.”

  6. The owner or managing operator must notify the cognizant OCMI when the condition of the vessel, its equipment, systems, or operations create an unsafe condition.

    46 CFR 137.215(d)“The owner or managing operator must notify the cognizant OCMI when the condition of the vessel, its equipment, systems, or operations, create an unsafe condition.”

  7. The cognizant OCMI may require the owner or managing operator to provide for the attendance of a surveyor or auditor from a TPO to assist with verifying compliance with this part.

    46 CFR 137.215(e)“The cognizant OCMI may require that the owner or managing operator provide for the attendance of a surveyor or auditor from a TPO”

Common questions

What must a surveyor determine when surveying a towing vessel?

The surveyor must determine that the item or system functions as designed and is free of defects or modifications that reduce its effectiveness. The item or system must also be suitable for the service intended.

“the surveyor must determine that the item or system functions as designed, is free of defects or modifications that reduce its effectiveness, is suitable for the service intended”

When must a towing vessel owner notify the OCMI?

The owner or managing operator must notify the cognizant OCMI when the condition of the vessel, its equipment, systems, or operations create an unsafe condition.

“The owner or managing operator must notify the cognizant OCMI when the condition of the vessel, its equipment, systems, or operations, create an unsafe condition.”

Can the OCMI require a TPO surveyor to attend a survey?

Yes. The cognizant OCMI may require the owner or managing operator to provide for the attendance of a surveyor or auditor from a TPO to assist with verifying compliance with this part.

“The cognizant OCMI may require that the owner or managing operator provide for the attendance of a surveyor or auditor from a TPO”

The text of 46 CFR 137.215

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

General conduct of survey

(a) When conducting a survey of a towing vessel as required by this subpart, the surveyor must determine that the item or system functions as designed, is free of defects or modifications that reduce its effectiveness, is suitable for the service intended, and functions safely in a manner consistent for vessel type, service and route.

(b) The survey must address the items in § 137.220 as applicable, and must include:

(1) A review of certificates and documentation held on the vessel;

(2) A visual examination and tests of the vessel and its equipment and systems in order to confirm that their condition is properly maintained and that proper quantities are onboard;

(3) A visual examination of the systems used in support of drills or training to determine that the equipment utilized during a drill operates as intended; and

(4) A visual examination to confirm that unapproved modifications were not made to the vessel or its equipment.

(c) Beyond the minimum standards required by this section, the thoroughness and stringency of the survey will depend upon the condition of the vessel and its equipment. If a surveyor finds a vessel to have multiple deficiencies indicative of systematic failures to maintain the installed equipment, he or she will conduct an expanded examination to ensure all deficiencies are identified and corrective action is promptly taken.

(d) The owner or managing operator must notify the cognizant OCMI when the condition of the vessel, its equipment, systems, or operations, create an unsafe condition.

(e) The cognizant OCMI may require that the owner or managing operator provide for the attendance of a surveyor or auditor from a TPO to assist with verifying compliance with this part.

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.