46 CFR 139.150: Revocation of third-party organization approval

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section says when the Coast Guard may revoke the approval of a TPO. It requires the Coast Guard to notify the TPO in writing, give the details, and advise the TPO of its right to appeal.

Applies toThis section applies to a TPO whose approval the Coast Guard may revoke, and to the Coast Guard when it seeks revocation.

What it says

  1. The Coast Guard may revoke a TPO's approval if the organization has demonstrated a pattern or history of the failures listed in paragraph (a).

    46 CFR 139.150(a)“The Coast Guard may revoke the approval of a TPO if the organization has demonstrated a pattern or history of:”

  2. One ground for revocation is a pattern or history of failure to comply with this part.

    46 CFR 139.150(a)(1)“Failure to comply with this part;”

  3. Another ground is a pattern or history of substantial deviations from the terms of the approval granted under this part.

    46 CFR 139.150(a)(2)“Substantial deviations from the terms of the approval granted under this part; or”

  4. A further ground is a pattern or history of failures, including ethical violations, conflicts of interest, or inadequate performance, that indicate to the Coast Guard that the TPO can no longer carry out its duties as a TPO.

    46 CFR 139.150(a)(3)“Failures, including ethical violations, conflicts of interest, or inadequate performance, that indicate to the Coast Guard that the TPO is no longer capable of carrying out its duties as a TPO.”

  5. If the Coast Guard seeks to revoke a TPO's approval, it must notify the TPO in writing of its intention to revoke.

    46 CFR 139.150(b)(1)“Notify the TPO in writing of the intention to revoke the approval;”

  6. The Coast Guard must also give the TPO the details of the pattern or history of actions described in paragraph (a) of this section.

    46 CFR 139.150(b)(2)“Provide the details of the TPO's demonstrated pattern or history of actions described in paragraph (a) of this section; and”

  7. The Coast Guard must advise the TPO that it may appeal the decision to the Coast Guard in accordance with 46 CFR subpart 1.03.

    46 CFR 139.150(b)(3)“Advise the TPO that it may appeal this decision to the Coast Guard in accordance with the provisions of 46 CFR subpart 1.03.”

Common questions

When can the Coast Guard revoke a TPO's approval?

The Coast Guard may revoke approval if the TPO has demonstrated a pattern or history of failures listed in paragraph (a). These include failure to comply with this part and substantial deviations from the approval terms.

“The Coast Guard may revoke the approval of a TPO if the organization has demonstrated a pattern or history of:”

Does the Coast Guard have to notify a TPO before revoking approval?

Yes. The Coast Guard must notify the TPO in writing of its intention to revoke the approval.

“Notify the TPO in writing of the intention to revoke the approval;”

Can a TPO appeal a revocation of approval?

Yes. The Coast Guard must advise the TPO that it may appeal the decision to the Coast Guard under 46 CFR subpart 1.03.

“Advise the TPO that it may appeal this decision to the Coast Guard in accordance with the provisions of 46 CFR subpart 1.03.”

The text of 46 CFR 139.150

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

Revocation of approval

(a) The Coast Guard may revoke the approval of a TPO if the organization has demonstrated a pattern or history of:

(1) Failure to comply with this part;

(2) Substantial deviations from the terms of the approval granted under this part; or

(3) Failures, including ethical violations, conflicts of interest, or inadequate performance, that indicate to the Coast Guard that the TPO is no longer capable of carrying out its duties as a TPO.

(b) If the Coast Guard seeks to revoke the approval of a TPO, it must:

(1) Notify the TPO in writing of the intention to revoke the approval;

(2) Provide the details of the TPO's demonstrated pattern or history of actions described in paragraph (a) of this section; and

(3) Advise the TPO that it may appeal this decision to the Coast Guard in accordance with the provisions of 46 CFR subpart 1.03.

Sections it refers to

  • 46 CFR subpart 1.03

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.