46 CFR 139.165: Records a TPO must retain

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section sets record-keeping duties for each TPO. A TPO must retain the results of surveys and audits conducted under its approval, and the results of Coast Guard audits of its organization. Records required by this part must be retained for a period of 5 years.

Applies toEach TPO.

What it says

  1. Each TPO must retain the results of each survey or audit conducted under its approval.

    46 CFR 139.165(a)“Each TPO must retain the results of each survey or audit conducted under its approval, including:”

  2. The TPO must retain the names of the auditors and/or surveyors.

    46 CFR 139.165(a)(1)“The names of the auditors and/or surveyors;”

  3. The TPO must retain the results of each audit or survey conducted.

    46 CFR 139.165(a)(2)“The results of each audit or survey conducted; and”

  4. The TPO must retain documentation showing continuing actions relative to an audit or survey, such as resolution of deficiencies and non-conformities.

    46 CFR 139.165(a)(3)“Documentation showing continuing actions relative to an audit or survey, such as resolution of deficiencies and non-conformities.”

  5. Each TPO must also retain the results of audits of its organization conducted by the Coast Guard.

    46 CFR 139.165(b)“Each TPO must also retain the results of audits of their organization conducted by the Coast Guard.”

  6. Records required by this part must be retained for a period of 5 years.

    46 CFR 139.165(c)“Records required by this part must be retained for a period of 5 years.”

Common questions

How long must a TPO keep its records?

Records required by this part must be retained for a period of 5 years.

“Records required by this part must be retained for a period of 5 years.”

Must a TPO keep the results of Coast Guard audits?

Yes. Each TPO must also retain the results of audits of its organization conducted by the Coast Guard.

“Each TPO must also retain the results of audits of their organization conducted by the Coast Guard.”

What survey and audit information must a TPO retain?

A TPO must retain the results of each survey or audit conducted under its approval. This includes the names of the auditors and/or surveyors, the results, and documentation of continuing actions such as resolution of deficiencies and non-conformities.

“Each TPO must retain the results of each survey or audit conducted under its approval, including:”

The text of 46 CFR 139.165

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

Documentation

(a) Each TPO must retain the results of each survey or audit conducted under its approval, including:

(1) The names of the auditors and/or surveyors;

(2) The results of each audit or survey conducted; and

(3) Documentation showing continuing actions relative to an audit or survey, such as resolution of deficiencies and non-conformities.

(b) Each TPO must also retain the results of audits of their organization conducted by the Coast Guard.

(c) Records required by this part must be retained for a period of 5 years.

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.