46 CFR 140.645: Navigation safety training for towing vessel crew
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section requires navigation safety training for towing vessel crewmembers before they take on duties related to safe operation. The training covers six watchstanding topics and must be recorded. Credentialed mariners with Able Seaman or officer endorsements are deemed to have met it.
Applies toEach crewmember on a towing vessel who will assume duties related to the safe operation of the vessel.
What it says
Each crewmember must receive training before assuming duties related to the safe operation of a towing vessel, so that they are familiar with the topics listed in this paragraph.
46 CFR 140.645(a)“Prior to assuming duties related to the safe operation of a towing vessel, each crewmember must receive training to ensure that they are familiar with:”
The training must cover watchstanding terms and definitions.
46 CFR 140.645(a)(1)“Watchstanding terms and definitions;”
The training must cover the duties of a lookout.
46 CFR 140.645(a)(2)“Duties of a lookout;”
The training must cover procedures for reporting other vessels or objects.
46 CFR 140.645(a)(5)“Procedures for reporting other vessels or objects; and”
Crewmember training must be recorded in the TVR, the official logbook, or in accordance with the TSMS applicable to the vessel.
46 CFR 140.645(b)“Crewmember training must be recorded in the TVR, official logbook, or in accordance with the TSMS applicable to the vessel.”
Credentialed mariners holding Able Seaman or officer endorsements are deemed to have met the training requirements in this section.
46 CFR 140.645(c)“Credentialed mariners holding Able Seaman or officer endorsements will be deemed to have met the training requirements in this section.”
Common questions
When must towing vessel crewmembers get navigation safety training?
Each crewmember must receive the training before assuming duties related to the safe operation of a towing vessel.
“Prior to assuming duties related to the safe operation of a towing vessel, each crewmember must receive training to ensure that they are familiar with:”
Where must navigation safety training be recorded?
It must be recorded in the TVR, the official logbook, or in accordance with the TSMS applicable to the vessel.
“Crewmember training must be recorded in the TVR, official logbook, or in accordance with the TSMS applicable to the vessel.”
Do Able Seamen and officers need this training?
Credentialed mariners holding Able Seaman or officer endorsements are deemed to have met the training requirements in this section.
“Credentialed mariners holding Able Seaman or officer endorsements will be deemed to have met the training requirements in this section.”
The text of 46 CFR 140.645
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Navigation safety training
(a) Prior to assuming duties related to the safe operation of a towing vessel, each crewmember must receive training to ensure that they are familiar with:
(1) Watchstanding terms and definitions;
(2) Duties of a lookout;
(3) Communication with other watchstanders;
(4) Change of watch procedures;
(5) Procedures for reporting other vessels or objects; and
(6) Watchstanding safety.
(b) Crewmember training must be recorded in the TVR, official logbook, or in accordance with the TSMS applicable to the vessel.
(c) Credentialed mariners holding Able Seaman or officer endorsements will be deemed to have met the training requirements in this section.
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.