46 CFR 141.385: Line throwing appliances on towing vessels
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section requires each towing vessel operating in oceans and coastwise service to have a line throwing appliance approved under approval series 160.040. The appliance and its equipment must be readily accessible. It must also carry the manufacturer's listed equipment and an auxiliary line meeting length, strength and color or UV standards.
Applies toEach towing vessel operating in oceans and coastwise service.
What it says
Each towing vessel operating in oceans and coastwise service must have a line throwing appliance approved under approval series 160.040.
“Each towing vessel operating in oceans and coastwise service must have a line throwing appliance approved under approval series 160.040.”
The line throwing appliance and its equipment must be readily accessible for use.
46 CFR 141.385(a)“The line throwing appliance and its equipment must be readily accessible for use.”
The line throwing appliance must have the equipment on the list provided by the manufacturer with the approved appliance.
46 CFR 141.385(b)(1)“The equipment on the list provided by the manufacturer with the approved appliance; and”
The appliance must have an auxiliary line that is at least 450 meters (1,500 feet) long.
46 CFR 141.385(b)(2)(i)“Is at least 450 meters (1,500 feet) long;”
The auxiliary line must have a breaking strength of at least 40 kilonewtons (9,000 pounds-force).
46 CFR 141.385(b)(2)(ii)“Has a breaking strength of at least 40 kilonewtons (9,000 pounds-force); and”
If the auxiliary line is synthetic, it must be of a dark color or certified by the manufacturer to be resistant to deterioration from ultraviolet light.
46 CFR 141.385(b)(2)(iii)“Is, if synthetic, of a dark color or certified by the manufacturer to be resistant to deterioration from ultraviolet light.”
Common questions
Which towing vessels must carry a line throwing appliance?
Each towing vessel operating in oceans and coastwise service must have one. It must be approved under approval series 160.040.
“Each towing vessel operating in oceans and coastwise service must have a line throwing appliance approved under approval series 160.040.”
How long must the auxiliary line for a line throwing appliance be?
The auxiliary line must be at least 450 meters (1,500 feet) long.
“Is at least 450 meters (1,500 feet) long;”
Where must a line throwing appliance be stowed?
The appliance and its equipment must be readily accessible for use.
“The line throwing appliance and its equipment must be readily accessible for use.”
The text of 46 CFR 141.385
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Line throwing appliance
Each towing vessel operating in oceans and coastwise service must have a line throwing appliance approved under approval series 160.040.
(a) Stowage. The line throwing appliance and its equipment must be readily accessible for use.
(b) Additional equipment. The line throwing appliance must have:
(1) The equipment on the list provided by the manufacturer with the approved appliance; and
(2) An auxiliary line that:
(i) Is at least 450 meters (1,500 feet) long;
(ii) Has a breaking strength of at least 40 kilonewtons (9,000 pounds-force); and
(iii) Is, if synthetic, of a dark color or certified by the manufacturer to be resistant to deterioration from ultraviolet light.
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.