46 CFR 138.305: TSMS certificate issuance, validity and records
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
A TPO issues a TSMS certificate to an owner or managing operator whose organization is deemed in compliance with the TSMS requirements. The certificate is valid for 5 years unless suspended, revoked or rescinded. The owner or managing operator must keep a vessel list and keep copies of the certificate on each covered towing vessel and at the shoreside office.
Applies toOwners and managing operators of towing vessels covered by a TSMS certificate, and the TPO that issues it.
What it says
A TPO issues a TSMS certificate to the owner or managing operator when the organization is deemed in compliance with the TSMS requirements.
46 CFR 138.305(a)“The owner or managing operator will be issued a TSMS certificate by a TPO when his or her organization is deemed in compliance with the TSMS requirements.”
The certificate should be kept on file at the shoreside office and be available for review at the Coast Guard's request.
46 CFR 138.305(a)“It should be kept on file at the owner or managing operator's shoreside office and available for review, at the request of the Coast Guard.”
A TSMS certificate is valid for 5 years from the date of issue, unless it is suspended, revoked or rescinded as provided in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section.
46 CFR 138.305(b)“A TSMS certificate is valid for 5 years from the date of issue, unless suspended, revoked or rescinded as provided in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section.”
The vessel owner or managing operator must keep a list of vessels currently covered by each TSMS certificate and must give it to the Coast Guard upon request.
46 CFR 138.305(c)“The vessel owner or managing operator must maintain a list of vessels currently covered by each TSMS certificate and must provide it to the Coast Guard upon request.”
The Coast Guard may suspend or revoke a TSMS certificate at any time for non-compliance with the requirements of this part.
46 CFR 138.305(d)“A TSMS certificate may be suspended or revoked by the Coast Guard at any time for non-compliance with the requirements of this part.”
The TPO that issued the certificate may rescind it for non-compliance with the requirements of this part.
46 CFR 138.305(e)“The TPO that issued the TSMS certificate may rescind the certificate for non-compliance with the requirements of this part.”
A copy of the certificate must be kept on each towing vessel it covers and on file at the shoreside office.
46 CFR 138.305(f)“A copy of the TSMS certificate must be maintained on each towing vessel that is covered by the TSMS certificate and on file at the owner or managing operator's shoreside office.”
Common questions
How long is a TSMS certificate valid?
A TSMS certificate is valid for 5 years from the date of issue. It ends sooner if it is suspended, revoked or rescinded as provided in paragraphs (d) and (e).
“A TSMS certificate is valid for 5 years from the date of issue, unless suspended, revoked or rescinded as provided in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section.”
Who can suspend or revoke a TSMS certificate?
The Coast Guard may suspend or revoke a TSMS certificate at any time for non-compliance with the requirements of this part.
“A TSMS certificate may be suspended or revoked by the Coast Guard at any time for non-compliance with the requirements of this part.”
Does a towing vessel have to carry a copy of the TSMS certificate?
Yes. A copy must be kept on each towing vessel covered by the certificate and on file at the shoreside office.
“A copy of the TSMS certificate must be maintained on each towing vessel that is covered by the TSMS certificate and on file at the owner or managing operator's shoreside office.”
The text of 46 CFR 138.305
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
TSMS certificate
(a) The owner or managing operator will be issued a TSMS certificate by a TPO when his or her organization is deemed in compliance with the TSMS requirements. It should be kept on file at the owner or managing operator's shoreside office and available for review, at the request of the Coast Guard.
(b) A TSMS certificate is valid for 5 years from the date of issue, unless suspended, revoked or rescinded as provided in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section.
(c) The vessel owner or managing operator must maintain a list of vessels currently covered by each TSMS certificate and must provide it to the Coast Guard upon request.
(d) A TSMS certificate may be suspended or revoked by the Coast Guard at any time for non-compliance with the requirements of this part.
(e) The TPO that issued the TSMS certificate may rescind the certificate for non-compliance with the requirements of this part.
(f) A copy of the TSMS certificate must be maintained on each towing vessel that is covered by the TSMS certificate and on file at the owner or managing operator's shoreside office.
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.