46 CFR 140.910: Towing vessel record or TSMS record

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section requires a towing vessel it applies to, other than a vessel operating only in a limited geographic area or one required by § 140.905 to maintain an official logbook, to maintain a TVR or a record in accordance with the TSMS. Records generally need not be filed with the Coast Guard but must be kept available for review upon request. Records must be retained for at least 1 year after the date of the latest entry, unless a statute or other federal regulation requires a longer period.

Applies toA towing vessel other than a vessel operating only in a limited geographic area or a vessel required by § 140.905 to maintain an official logbook.

What it says

  1. This section applies to a towing vessel, except a vessel operating only in a limited geographic area or a vessel required by § 140.905 to maintain an official logbook.

    46 CFR 140.910(a)“This section applies to a towing vessel other than a vessel operating only in a limited geographic area or a vessel required by § 140.905 to maintain an official logbook.”

  2. A towing vessel subject to this section must maintain a TVR or a record in accordance with the TSMS applicable to the towing vessel.

    46 CFR 140.910(b)“A towing vessel subject to this section must maintain a TVR or in accordance with the TSMS applicable to the towing vessel.”

  3. The TVR must include a chronological record of events as required by this subchapter.

    46 CFR 140.910(c)“The TVR must include a chronological record of events as required by this subchapter.”

  4. The TVR may be electronic or paper.

    46 CFR 140.910(c)“The TVR may be electronic or paper.”

  5. Except as required by §§ 140.900 and 140.905, records do not need to be filed with the Coast Guard, but they must be kept available for Coast Guard review upon request.

    46 CFR 140.910(d)“Except as required by §§ 140.900 and 140.905, records do not need to be filed with the Coast Guard, but must be kept available for review by the Coast Guard upon request.”

  6. Records must be retained for at least 1 year after the date of the latest entry, unless a statute or other federal regulation requires them to be maintained for a longer period.

    46 CFR 140.910(d)“Records, unless required to be maintained for a longer period by statute or other federal regulation, must be retained for at least 1 year after the date of the latest entry.”

Common questions

Can a towing vessel keep its TVR electronically?

Yes. The TVR may be electronic or paper.

“The TVR may be electronic or paper.”

How long must towing vessel records be kept?

Records must be retained for at least 1 year after the date of the latest entry, unless a statute or other federal regulation requires a longer period.

“Records, unless required to be maintained for a longer period by statute or other federal regulation, must be retained for at least 1 year after the date of the latest entry.”

Do towing vessel records have to be filed with the Coast Guard?

Generally no, except as required by §§ 140.900 and 140.905. Records must be kept available for Coast Guard review upon request.

“Except as required by §§ 140.900 and 140.905, records do not need to be filed with the Coast Guard, but must be kept available for review by the Coast Guard upon request.”

The text of 46 CFR 140.910

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

Towing vessel record or record specified by TSMS

(a) This section applies to a towing vessel other than a vessel operating only in a limited geographic area or a vessel required by § 140.905 to maintain an official logbook.

(b) A towing vessel subject to this section must maintain a TVR or in accordance with the TSMS applicable to the towing vessel.

(c) The TVR must include a chronological record of events as required by this subchapter. The TVR may be electronic or paper.

(d) Except as required by §§ 140.900 and 140.905, records do not need to be filed with the Coast Guard, but must be kept available for review by the Coast Guard upon request. Records, unless required to be maintained for a longer period by statute or other federal regulation, must be retained for at least 1 year after the date of the latest entry.

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.