46 CFR 142.210: Alternate fire safety arrangements or equipment
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section covers alternate arrangements or equipment for complying with this part. Alternates may be approved under § 136.115 of this subchapter, and owners with a TSMS may use equivalent alternates if documented. The OCMI may require additional fire protection, suppression, or detection equipment in certain cases.
Applies toTowing vessels and their owners or operators, including owners or operators of towing vessels with a Towing Safety Management System (TSMS).
What it says
Alternate arrangements or equipment to comply with this part may be approved in accordance with § 136.115 of this subchapter.
46 CFR 142.210(a)“Alternate arrangements or equipment to comply with this part may be approved in accordance with § 136.115 of this subchapter.”
Owners or operators of towing vessels with a TSMS may comply with subpart B of this part by using appropriate alternate arrangements or equipment, if they provide an equivalent level of safety and performance and are properly documented in the TSMS.
46 CFR 142.210(b)“may comply with the requirements of subpart B of this part by outfitting their vessels with appropriate alternate arrangements or equipment so long as these variations provide an equivalent level of safety and performance and are properly documented in the TSMS.”
The cognizant OCMI may require a towing vessel to carry specialized or additional fire protection, suppression, or detection equipment if the OCMI determines the conditions of the voyage make the requirements of this part inadequate.
46 CFR 142.210(c)(1)“He or she determines that the conditions of the voyage render the requirements of this part inadequate; or”
The cognizant OCMI may also require such equipment if the towing vessel operates in globally remote areas or severe environments not covered under this part.
46 CFR 142.210(c)(2)“The towing vessel is operated in globally remote areas or severe environments not covered under this part.”
Common questions
Can a towing vessel use alternate fire safety equipment?
Yes. Alternate arrangements or equipment 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.”
What must a TSMS vessel show to use alternate equipment?
The alternates must provide an equivalent level of safety and performance and be properly documented in the TSMS.
“so long as these variations provide an equivalent level of safety and performance and are properly documented in the TSMS.”
What areas count as remote or severe environments for extra equipment?
They may include polar regions, remote islands, areas of extreme weather, and other remote areas where timely emergency assistance cannot be anticipated. The list is not limited to these.
“These 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.”
The text of 46 CFR 142.210
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) All owners or operators of towing vessels with a Towing Safety Management System (TSMS) may comply with the requirements of subpart B of this part by outfitting their vessels with appropriate alternate arrangements or equipment so long as these variations provide an equivalent level of safety and performance and are properly documented in the TSMS.
(c) The cognizant Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI) may require a towing vessel to carry specialized or additional fire protection, suppression, or detection 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. These 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.