46 CFR 139.100: Purpose of third-party organization requirements

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section explains the purpose of Part 139. The part states the requirements for third-party organizations (TPOs) that conduct audits and surveys for towing vessels. The Commandant delegates TPO approval functions, including revocation and suspension, to the Towing Vessel National Center of Expertise (TVNCOE).

Applies toThird-party organizations (TPOs) that conduct audits and surveys for towing vessels as required by Subchapter M.

What it says

  1. This part states the requirements for third-party organizations (TPOs) that conduct audits and surveys for towing vessels, as this subchapter requires.

    46 CFR 139.100(a)“This part states the requirements applicable to third-party organizations (TPOs) that conduct audits and surveys for towing vessels as required by this subchapter.”

  2. The Commandant delegates to the Towing Vessel National Center of Expertise (TVNCOE) the authority to carry out the functions of this part associated with approving TPOs, including revoking and suspending approval.

    46 CFR 139.100(b)“The Commandant delegates to the Towing Vessel National Center of Expertise (TVNCOE) the authority to carry out the functions of this part associated with approval of TPOs, including revocation and suspension of approval.”

Common questions

What does 46 CFR Part 139 cover?

It states the requirements for third-party organizations (TPOs) that conduct audits and surveys for towing vessels as required by Subchapter M.

“This part states the requirements applicable to third-party organizations (TPOs) that conduct audits and surveys for towing vessels as required by this subchapter.”

Who approves third-party organizations for towing vessels?

The Commandant delegates this authority to the Towing Vessel National Center of Expertise (TVNCOE). That includes revocation and suspension of approval.

“The Commandant delegates to the Towing Vessel National Center of Expertise (TVNCOE) the authority to carry out the functions of this part associated with approval of TPOs, including revocation and suspension of approval.”

The text of 46 CFR 139.100

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

Purpose

(a) This part states the requirements applicable to third-party organizations (TPOs) that conduct audits and surveys for towing vessels as required by this subchapter.

(b) The Commandant delegates to the Towing Vessel National Center of Expertise (TVNCOE) the authority to carry out the functions of this part associated with approval of TPOs, including revocation and suspension of approval.

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.