46 CFR 141.225: Alternate arrangements and extra lifesaving equipment

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section covers approval of alternate arrangements or equipment to comply with this part. It also covers TSMS-based alternative means, novel lifesaving appliances, and the cognizant OCMI's authority to require specialized or additional lifesaving equipment.

What it says

  1. Alternate arrangements or equipment to comply with this part may be approved in accordance with § 136.115 of this subchapter.

    46 CFR 141.225(a)“Alternate arrangements or equipment to comply with this part may be approved in accordance with § 136.115 of this subchapter.”

  2. If a Towing Safety Management System (TSMS) is applicable to the towing vessel, a third-party organization (TPO) may approve alternative means for complying with §§ 141.340, 141.350, and 141.360. The alternative means are documented in the TSMS applicable to the vessel.

    46 CFR 141.225(b)“alternative means for complying with §§ 141.340, 141.350, and 141.360 may be approved by a third-party organization (TPO) and documented in the TSMS applicable to the vessel.”

  3. The Coast Guard may approve a novel lifesaving appliance or arrangement as an equivalent if it has performance characteristics at least equivalent to the required appliance or arrangement and has been evaluated and tested under IMO Resolution A.520(13).

    46 CFR 141.225(c)“if it has performance characteristics at least equivalent to the appliance or arrangement required under this subchapter, and if it has been evaluated and tested under IMO Resolution A.520(13)”

  4. Requests for evaluation of novel lifesaving appliances must be sent to the Commandant (CG-ENG).

    46 CFR 141.225(c)“Requests for evaluation of novel lifesaving appliances must be sent to the Commandant (CG-ENG).”

  5. The cognizant OCMI may require a towing vessel to carry specialized or additional lifesaving equipment if he or she determines that the conditions of the voyage render the requirements of this part inadequate.

    46 CFR 141.225(d)(1)“He or she determines that the conditions of the voyage render the requirements of this part inadequate”

  6. The cognizant OCMI may also require specialized or additional lifesaving equipment if the towing vessel is operated in globally remote areas or severe environments not covered under this part.

    46 CFR 141.225(d)(2)“The towing vessel is operated in globally remote areas or severe environments not covered under this part.”

Common questions

How can alternate arrangements or equipment be approved under 46 CFR 141.225?

Alternate arrangements or equipment to comply with this part may be approved in accordance with § 136.115 of this subchapter.

“Alternate arrangements or equipment to comply with this part may be approved in accordance with § 136.115 of this subchapter.”

Where do I send a request to evaluate a novel lifesaving appliance?

Requests for evaluation of novel lifesaving appliances must be sent to the Commandant (CG-ENG).

“Requests for evaluation of novel lifesaving appliances must be sent to the Commandant (CG-ENG).”

Can the OCMI require extra lifesaving equipment on a towing vessel?

Yes. The cognizant OCMI may require specialized or additional lifesaving equipment if voyage conditions make the requirements of this part inadequate, or if the vessel is operated in globally remote areas or severe environments not covered under this part.

“The cognizant OCMI may require a towing vessel to carry specialized or additional lifesaving equipment if:”

The text of 46 CFR 141.225

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

Alternate arrangements or equipment

(a) Alternate arrangements or equipment to comply with this part may be approved in accordance with § 136.115 of this subchapter.

(b) If a Towing Safety Management System (TSMS) is applicable to the towing vessel, alternative means for complying with §§ 141.340, 141.350, and 141.360 may be approved by a third-party organization (TPO) and documented in the TSMS applicable to the vessel.

(c) The Coast Guard may approve a novel lifesaving appliance or arrangement as an equivalent if it has performance characteristics at least equivalent to the appliance or arrangement required under this subchapter, and if it has been evaluated and tested under IMO Resolution A.520(13) (incorporated by reference, see § 136.112 of this subchapter). Requests for evaluation of novel lifesaving appliances must be sent to the Commandant (CG-ENG).

(d) The cognizant OCMI may require a towing vessel to carry specialized or additional lifesaving equipment if:

(1) He or she determines that the conditions of the voyage render the requirements of this part inadequate; or

(2) The towing vessel is operated in globally remote areas or severe environments not covered under this part. Such areas may include, but are not limited to, polar regions, remote islands, areas of extreme weather, and other remote areas where timely emergency assistance cannot be anticipated.

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.