46 CFR 140.605: Vessel stability on towing vessels
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section covers the stability of towing vessels. The master or officer in charge of a navigational watch must determine whether the vessel complies with its stability requirements. The vessel must also be maintained and operated so its watertight integrity and stability are not compromised.
Applies toTowing vessels, and the master or officer in charge of a navigational watch on them.
What it says
Before getting underway, and at all other times necessary to ensure the safety of the vessel, the master or officer in charge of a navigational watch must determine whether the vessel complies with its stability requirements.
46 CFR 140.605(a)“Prior to getting underway, and at all other times necessary to ensure the safety of the vessel, the master or officer in charge of a navigational watch must determine”
The stability requirements to check are those in the vessel's trim and stability book, stability letter, COI, and Load Line Certificate, as applicable.
46 CFR 140.605(a)“whether the vessel complies with all stability requirements in the vessel's trim and stability book, stability letter, COI, and Load Line Certificate, as applicable.”
A towing vessel must be maintained and operated so that its watertight integrity and stability are not compromised.
46 CFR 140.605(b)“A towing vessel must be maintained and operated so the watertight integrity and stability of the vessel are not compromised.”
Common questions
Who must check a towing vessel's stability before getting underway?
The master or officer in charge of a navigational watch must determine whether the vessel complies with all applicable stability requirements before getting underway.
“the master or officer in charge of a navigational watch must determine whether the vessel complies with all stability requirements”
When must stability compliance be checked besides before getting underway?
It must also be checked at all other times necessary to ensure the safety of the vessel.
“Prior to getting underway, and at all other times necessary to ensure the safety of the vessel”
What must a towing vessel's operation and maintenance protect?
A towing vessel must be maintained and operated so its watertight integrity and stability are not compromised.
“A towing vessel must be maintained and operated so the watertight integrity and stability of the vessel are not compromised.”
The text of 46 CFR 140.605
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Vessel stability
(a) Prior to getting underway, and at all other times necessary to ensure the safety of the vessel, the master or officer in charge of a navigational watch must determine whether the vessel complies with all stability requirements in the vessel's trim and stability book, stability letter, COI, and Load Line Certificate, as applicable.
(b) A towing vessel must be maintained and operated so the watertight integrity and stability of the vessel are not compromised.
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.