46 CFR 142.220: Minimizing fire hazards on towing vessels
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section requires each towing vessel to be maintained and operated to minimize fire hazards. It names two conditions to ensure: bilges and void spaces, and storage areas, must be kept free of accumulated combustible and flammable materials insofar as practicable.
Applies toEach towing vessel.
What it says
Each towing vessel must be maintained and operated so as to minimize fire hazards and to ensure the conditions listed in paragraphs (a) and (b).
“Each towing vessel must be maintained and operated so as to minimize fire hazards and to ensure the following:”
All bilges and void spaces must be kept free from accumulation of combustible and flammable materials and liquids insofar as practicable.
46 CFR 142.220(a)“All bilges and void spaces are kept free from accumulation of combustible and flammable materials and liquids insofar as practicable.”
Storage areas must be kept free from accumulation of combustible and flammable materials insofar as practicable.
46 CFR 142.220(b)“Storage areas are kept free from accumulation of combustible and flammable materials insofar as practicable.”
Common questions
What must a towing vessel do about fire hazards?
Each towing vessel must be maintained and operated so as to minimize fire hazards. The section then lists conditions to ensure for bilges, void spaces and storage areas.
“Each towing vessel must be maintained and operated so as to minimize fire hazards and to ensure the following:”
Do bilges and void spaces on a towing vessel have to be kept clear of flammable materials?
Yes, insofar as practicable. They must be kept free from accumulation of combustible and flammable materials and liquids.
“All bilges and void spaces are kept free from accumulation of combustible and flammable materials and liquids insofar as practicable.”
Do towing vessel storage areas have to be kept free of combustible materials?
Yes, insofar as practicable. Storage areas must be kept free from accumulation of combustible and flammable materials.
“Storage areas are kept free from accumulation of combustible and flammable materials insofar as practicable.”
The text of 46 CFR 142.220
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Fire hazards to be minimized
Each towing vessel must be maintained and operated so as to minimize fire hazards and to ensure the following:
(a) All bilges and void spaces are kept free from accumulation of combustible and flammable materials and liquids insofar as practicable.
(b) Storage areas are kept free from accumulation of combustible and flammable materials insofar as practicable.
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.