46 CFR 140.415: Safety orientation for non-crewmembers on towing vessels
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section requires a safety orientation for individuals on board a towing vessel who are not crewmembers. The orientation must happen prior to getting underway or as soon as practicable thereafter. It must include lifesaving equipment, emergency procedures, methods to notify crewmembers, and prevention of falls overboard.
Applies toIndividuals, who are not crewmembers, on board a towing vessel.
What it says
Individuals who are not crewmembers and are on board a towing vessel must receive a safety orientation prior to getting underway or as soon as practicable thereafter.
“Individuals, who are not crewmembers, on board a towing vessel must receive a safety orientation prior to getting underway or as soon as practicable thereafter”
The orientation must include the location, operation, and use of lifesaving equipment.
46 CFR 140.415(a)“The location, operation, and use of lifesaving equipment;”
The orientation must include methods to notify crewmembers in the event of an emergency.
46 CFR 140.415(c)“Methods to notify crewmembers in the event of an emergency; and”
Common questions
Who must receive a safety orientation on a towing vessel?
Individuals on board a towing vessel who are not crewmembers must receive a safety orientation.
“Individuals, who are not crewmembers, on board a towing vessel must receive a safety orientation”
When must the safety orientation be given to non-crewmembers?
It must be given prior to getting underway or as soon as practicable thereafter.
“prior to getting underway or as soon as practicable thereafter”
What topics must the towing vessel safety orientation include?
It must include lifesaving equipment, emergency procedures, methods to notify crewmembers in an emergency, and prevention of falls overboard.
“Methods to notify crewmembers in the event of an emergency; and”
The text of 46 CFR 140.415
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Orientation for individuals that are not crewmembers
Individuals, who are not crewmembers, on board a towing vessel must receive a safety orientation prior to getting underway or as soon as practicable thereafter, to include:
(a) The location, operation, and use of lifesaving equipment;
(b) Emergency procedures;
(c) Methods to notify crewmembers in the event of an emergency; and
(d) Prevention of falls overboard.
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.