46 CFR 140.410: Safety orientation for towing vessel crewmembers
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section requires a safety orientation for each crewmember before first getting underway on a particular towing vessel. It lists ten topics the orientation must cover. It also requires the orientation and other crew training to be documented.
Applies toPersonnel and crewmembers on towing vessels.
What it says
Personnel must meet the requirements in §§ 15.405 and 15.1105 of this chapter, as appropriate.
46 CFR 140.410(a)“Personnel must meet the requirements in §§ 15.405 and 15.1105 of this chapter, as appropriate.”
Each crewmember must receive a safety orientation before getting underway for the first time on a particular towing vessel.
46 CFR 140.410(b)“Prior to getting underway for the first time on a particular towing vessel, each crewmember must receive a safety orientation on:”
The orientation must cover the crewmember's duties in an emergency.
46 CFR 140.410(b)(1)“His or her duties in an emergency;”
The orientation must cover the use and operation of watertight and weathertight closures.
46 CFR 140.410(b)(7)“The use and operation of watertight and weathertight closures;”
The orientation must cover awareness of, and expected response to, any other hazards inherent to the operation of the towing vessel which may pose a threat to life, property, or the environment.
46 CFR 140.410(b)(10)“Awareness of, and expected response to, any other hazards inherent to the operation of the towing vessel which may pose a threat to life, property, or the environment.”
A crewmember who received a safety orientation on another vessel may receive an orientation modified to cover only the areas unique to the vessel on which service will occur.
46 CFR 140.410(c)“may be modified to cover only those areas unique to the other vessel on which service will occur.”
Safety orientations and other crew training must be documented in the TVR, official logbook, or in accordance with the TSMS applicable to the vessel.
46 CFR 140.410(d)“Safety orientations and other crew training must be documented in the TVR, official logbook, or in accordance with the TSMS applicable to the vessel.”
Watch · 15 seconds
New deckhand, first trip: orientation before getting underway?
Before getting underway for the first time on a towing vessel, every crewmember needs a safety orientation covering ten topics, and it is logged (46 CFR 140.410).
Common questions
When must a crewmember get a safety orientation on a towing vessel?
Each crewmember must receive a safety orientation before getting underway for the first time on a particular towing vessel.
“Prior to getting underway for the first time on a particular towing vessel, each crewmember must receive a safety orientation on:”
Can a safety orientation be shortened for a crewmember who was oriented on another vessel?
Yes. The orientation may be modified to cover only the areas unique to the vessel on which service will occur.
“may be modified to cover only those areas unique to the other vessel on which service will occur.”
Where must towing vessel safety orientations be documented?
They must be documented in the TVR, official logbook, or in accordance with the TSMS applicable to the vessel.
“Safety orientations and other crew training must be documented in the TVR, official logbook, or in accordance with the TSMS applicable to the vessel.”
The text of 46 CFR 140.410
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Safety orientation
(a) Personnel must meet the requirements in §§ 15.405 and 15.1105 of this chapter, as appropriate.
(b) Prior to getting underway for the first time on a particular towing vessel, each crewmember must receive a safety orientation on:
(1) His or her duties in an emergency;
(2) The location, operation, and use of lifesaving equipment;
(3) Prevention of falls overboard;
(4) Personal safety measures;
(5) The location, operation, and use of Personal Protective Equipment;
(6) Emergency egress procedures;
(7) The use and operation of watertight and weathertight closures;
(8) Responsibilities to provide assistance to individuals that are not crewmembers;
(9) How to respond to emergencies relative to the tow; and
(10) Awareness of, and expected response to, any other hazards inherent to the operation of the towing vessel which may pose a threat to life, property, or the environment.
(c) The safety orientation provided to crewmembers who received a safety orientation on another vessel may be modified to cover only those areas unique to the other vessel on which service will occur.
(d) Safety orientations and other crew training must be documented in the TVR, official logbook, or in accordance with the TSMS applicable to the vessel. The entry must include:
(1) The date of the safety orientation or training;
(2) A general description of the safety orientation or training topics;
(3) The name(s) and signature(s) of individual(s) providing the orientation or training; and
(4) The name(s) of the individual(s) receiving the safety orientation or training.
Sections it refers to
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.