46 CFR 138.215: Functional requirements of a TSMS

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section lists what a TSMS includes. It covers policies for safe towing vessel operation, lines of authority, reporting, emergency response, compliance checks, audits and management review.

What it says

  1. A TSMS includes policies and procedures that direct the safe operation of towing vessels and protect the marine environment, in compliance with applicable U.S. law and, on an international voyage, applicable international conventions to which the United States is a party.

    46 CFR 138.215(a)“Policies and procedures to provide direction for the safe operation of towing vessels and protection of the marine environment in compliance with applicable U.S. law”

  2. A TSMS includes defined levels of authority and lines of communication between shoreside and vessel personnel.

    46 CFR 138.215(b)“Defined levels of authority and lines of communication between shoreside and vessel personnel;”

  3. A TSMS includes procedures for reporting accidents and non-conformities.

    46 CFR 138.215(c)“Procedures for reporting accidents and non-conformities;”

  4. A TSMS includes procedures for shoreside and vessel personnel to prepare for and respond to emergency situations.

    46 CFR 138.215(d)“Procedures to prepare for and respond to emergency situations by shoreside and vessel personnel;”

  5. A TSMS includes procedures for verification of vessel compliance with this subchapter.

    46 CFR 138.215(e)“Procedures for verification of vessel compliance with this subchapter;”

  6. A TSMS includes procedures for internal auditing of the TSMS, covering both shoreside and vessel operations.

    46 CFR 138.215(f)“Procedures for internal auditing of the TSMS, including shoreside and vessel operations;”

  7. A TSMS includes procedures for management review of internal and external audit reports and correction of non-conformities.

    46 CFR 138.215(h)“Procedures for management review of internal and external audit reports and correction of non-conformities; and”

Common questions

What must a TSMS include for emergencies?

A TSMS includes procedures for shoreside and vessel personnel to prepare for and respond to emergency situations.

“Procedures to prepare for and respond to emergency situations by shoreside and vessel personnel;”

Does a TSMS have to include audits?

Yes. A TSMS includes procedures for internal auditing, including shoreside and vessel operations, and procedures for external audits.

“Procedures for internal auditing of the TSMS, including shoreside and vessel operations;”

Does a TSMS cover communication between the office and the vessel?

Yes. A TSMS includes defined levels of authority and lines of communication between shoreside and vessel personnel.

“Defined levels of authority and lines of communication between shoreside and vessel personnel;”

The text of 46 CFR 138.215

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

Functional requirements of a TSMS

The functional requirements of a TSMS include:

(a) Policies and procedures to provide direction for the safe operation of towing vessels and protection of the marine environment in compliance with applicable U.S. law, including the Code of Federal Regulations, and, if on an international voyage, applicable international conventions to which the United States is a party;

(b) Defined levels of authority and lines of communication between shoreside and vessel personnel;

(c) Procedures for reporting accidents and non-conformities;

(d) Procedures to prepare for and respond to emergency situations by shoreside and vessel personnel;

(e) Procedures for verification of vessel compliance with this subchapter;

(f) Procedures for internal auditing of the TSMS, including shoreside and vessel operations;

(g) Procedures for external audits;

(h) Procedures for management review of internal and external audit reports and correction of non-conformities; and

(i) Procedures to evaluate recommendations made by management and other personnel.

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.