46 CFR 142.226: Firefighter's outfits on ocean towing vessels

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section sets equipment rules for larger towing vessels on oceans and coastwise routes that lack an installed fixed fire-extinguishing system. These vessels must carry at least two firefighter's outfits and two self-contained breathing apparatus. The text sets standards for both items.

Applies toEach towing vessel 79 feet or more in length operating on oceans and coastwise routes that does not have an installed fixed fire-extinguishing system.

What it says

  1. Each towing vessel 79 feet or more in length operating on oceans and coastwise routes that has no installed fixed fire-extinguishing system must carry the equipment listed in this section.

    “Each towing vessel 79 feet or more in length operating on oceans and coastwise routes that does not have an installed fixed fire-extinguishing system must have the following:”

  2. The vessel must have at least two firefighter's outfits that meet NFPA 1971, which is incorporated by reference as described in § 136.112 of this subchapter.

    46 CFR 142.226(a)“At least two firefighter's outfits that meet NFPA 1971 (incorporated by reference, see § 136.112 of this subchapter)”

  3. The vessel must have two self-contained breathing apparatus of the pressure demand, open circuit type, approved by NIOSH under 42 CFR part 84.

    46 CFR 142.226(b)“Two self-contained breathing apparatus of the pressure demand, open circuit type, approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), under 42 CFR part 84.”

  4. The breathing apparatus must have a minimum 30-minute air supply and a full facepiece.

    46 CFR 142.226(b)“The breathing apparatus must have a minimum 30-minute air supply and full facepiece.”

Common questions

How many firefighter's outfits must a towing vessel carry under this section?

A covered towing vessel must have at least two firefighter's outfits that meet NFPA 1971.

“At least two firefighter's outfits that meet NFPA 1971 (incorporated by reference, see § 136.112 of this subchapter)”

What air supply must the breathing apparatus on a towing vessel have?

The breathing apparatus must have a minimum 30-minute air supply and full facepiece.

“The breathing apparatus must have a minimum 30-minute air supply and full facepiece.”

Does the firefighter's outfit rule apply to towing vessels with a fixed fire-extinguishing system?

No. The section applies to towing vessels that do not have an installed fixed fire-extinguishing system, and only those 79 feet or more in length operating on oceans and coastwise routes.

“Each towing vessel 79 feet or more in length operating on oceans and coastwise routes that does not have an installed fixed fire-extinguishing system must have the following:”

The text of 46 CFR 142.226

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

Firefighter's outfit

Each towing vessel 79 feet or more in length operating on oceans and coastwise routes that does not have an installed fixed fire-extinguishing system must have the following:

(a) At least two firefighter's outfits that meet NFPA 1971 (incorporated by reference, see § 136.112 of this subchapter); and

(b) Two self-contained breathing apparatus of the pressure demand, open circuit type, approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), under 42 CFR part 84. The breathing apparatus must have a minimum 30-minute air supply and full facepiece.

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.