46 CFR 140.615: Pre-departure examinations and tests of towing vessels
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section covers examinations and tests of a towing vessel's key equipment before it gets underway. The master or officer in charge of a navigational watch must examine and test the listed equipment. The results must be recorded.
Applies toThis section applies to a towing vessel not subject to 33 CFR 164.80.
What it says
This section applies only to a towing vessel that is not subject to 33 CFR 164.80.
46 CFR 140.615(a)“This section applies to a towing vessel not subject to 33 CFR 164.80.”
Before getting underway, the master or officer in charge of a navigational watch must examine and test the steering gear, signaling whistle, propulsion control, towing gear, navigation lights, navigation equipment, and communication systems of the vessel.
46 CFR 140.615(b)“Prior to getting underway, the master or officer in charge of a navigational watch of the vessel must examine and test the steering gear, signaling whistle, propulsion control, towing gear, navigation lights, navigation equipment, and communication systems of the vessel.”
The examination and testing does not need to be conducted more than once in any 24-hour period.
46 CFR 140.615(b)“This examination and testing does not need to be conducted more than once in any 24-hour period.”
The results of the examination and testing must be recorded in the TVR, official logbook, or in accordance with the TSMS applicable to the vessel.
46 CFR 140.615(c)“The results of the examination and testing must be recorded in the TVR, official logbook, or in accordance with the TSMS applicable to the vessel.”
Common questions
Who must examine and test the equipment before a towing vessel gets underway?
The master or officer in charge of a navigational watch of the vessel must examine and test the equipment before getting underway.
“Prior to getting underway, the master or officer in charge of a navigational watch of the vessel must examine and test the steering gear,”
How often must towing vessel equipment be tested before getting underway?
The examination and testing does not need to be conducted more than once in any 24-hour period.
“This examination and testing does not need to be conducted more than once in any 24-hour period.”
Where must the results of the pre-departure tests be recorded?
The results must be recorded in the TVR, official logbook, or in accordance with the TSMS applicable to the vessel.
“The results of the examination and testing must be recorded in the TVR, official logbook, or in accordance with the TSMS applicable to the vessel.”
The text of 46 CFR 140.615
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Examinations and tests
(a) This section applies to a towing vessel not subject to 33 CFR 164.80.
(b) Prior to getting underway, the master or officer in charge of a navigational watch of the vessel must examine and test the steering gear, signaling whistle, propulsion control, towing gear, navigation lights, navigation equipment, and communication systems of the vessel. This examination and testing does not need to be conducted more than once in any 24-hour period.
(c) The results of the examination and testing must be recorded in the TVR, official logbook, or in accordance with the TSMS applicable to the vessel.
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.