46 CFR 140.801: Towing gear on towing vessels

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section sets duties for towing gear on a towing vessel. The owner, managing operator, master or officer in charge of a navigational watch must ensure the gear is adequate and appropriate for the service. They must also ensure emergency procedures are developed and the crew is trained.

Applies toThe owner, managing operator, master or officer in charge of a navigational watch of a towing vessel.

What it says

  1. The owner, managing operator, master or officer in charge of a navigational watch of a towing vessel must ensure the listed towing gear requirements are met.

    “The owner, managing operator, master or officer in charge of a navigational watch of a towing vessel must ensure the following:”

  2. The strength of each component used for securing the towing vessel to the tow and for making up the tow must be adequate for its intended service.

    46 CFR 140.801(a)“The strength of each component used for securing the towing vessel to the tow and for making up the tow is adequate for its intended service.”

  3. The size, material, and condition of towlines, lines, wires, push gear, cables, and other rigging used for making up a tow or securing the towing vessel to a tow must be appropriate for the factors listed in paragraph (b).

    46 CFR 140.801(b)“The size, material, and condition of towlines, lines, wires, push gear, cables, and other rigging used for making up a tow or securing the towing vessel to a tow must be appropriate for:”

  4. The gear must be appropriate for the horsepower or bollard pull of the vessel.

    46 CFR 140.801(b)(1)“The horsepower or bollard pull of the vessel;”

  5. The gear must be appropriate for the static loads and dynamic loads expected during the intended service.

    46 CFR 140.801(b)(2)“The static loads and dynamic loads expected during the intended service;”

  6. The gear must be appropriate for the environmental conditions expected during the intended service and for the likelihood of mechanical damage.

    46 CFR 140.801(b)(3)“The environmental conditions expected during the intended service; and”

  7. Emergency procedures related to the tow must be developed, and the crew must be given appropriate training for carrying out their emergency duties.

    46 CFR 140.801(c)“Emergency procedures related to the tow have been developed and appropriate training provided to the crew for carrying out their emergency duties.”

Common questions

Who is responsible for towing gear on a towing vessel?

The owner, managing operator, master or officer in charge of a navigational watch of a towing vessel must ensure the towing gear requirements are met.

“The owner, managing operator, master or officer in charge of a navigational watch of a towing vessel must ensure the following:”

What must towlines and rigging be appropriate for?

Their size, material, and condition must be appropriate for the vessel's horsepower or bollard pull, expected loads, environmental conditions, and the likelihood of mechanical damage.

“The size, material, and condition of towlines, lines, wires, push gear, cables, and other rigging used for making up a tow or securing the towing vessel to a tow must be appropriate for:”

Does a towing vessel need emergency procedures and crew training for the tow?

Yes. Emergency procedures related to the tow must be developed, and appropriate training must be provided to the crew for their emergency duties.

“Emergency procedures related to the tow have been developed and appropriate training provided to the crew for carrying out their emergency duties.”

The text of 46 CFR 140.801

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR

Towing gear

The owner, managing operator, master or officer in charge of a navigational watch of a towing vessel must ensure the following:

(a) The strength of each component used for securing the towing vessel to the tow and for making up the tow is adequate for its intended service.

(b) The size, material, and condition of towlines, lines, wires, push gear, cables, and other rigging used for making up a tow or securing the towing vessel to a tow must be appropriate for:

(1) The horsepower or bollard pull of the vessel;

(2) The static loads and dynamic loads expected during the intended service;

(3) The environmental conditions expected during the intended service; and

(4) The likelihood of mechanical damage.

(c) Emergency procedures related to the tow have been developed and appropriate training provided to the crew for carrying out their emergency duties.

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.