46 CFR 142.235: Fire equipment on vessels contracted before 1952

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section covers towing vessels contracted for construction prior to November 19, 1952. They must meet the applicable provisions of this part on the number and general type of equipment. Previously approved equipment may stay in service if it is in good condition, but new installations and replacements must meet this part.

Applies toTowing vessels contracted for construction prior to November 19, 1952.

What it says

  1. Towing vessels contracted for construction prior to November 19, 1952, must meet the applicable provisions of this part concerning the number and general type of equipment required.

    46 CFR 142.235(a)“Towing vessels contracted for construction prior to November 19, 1952, must meet the applicable provisions of this part concerning the number and general type of equipment required.”

  2. Existing equipment and installations that were previously approved, but do not meet the applicable requirements for approval by the Commandant, may be continued in service so long as they are in good condition.

    46 CFR 142.235(b)“Existing equipment and installations previously approved, but not meeting the applicable requirements for approval by the Commandant, may be continued in service so long as they are in good condition.”

  3. All new installations and replacements must meet the requirements of this part.

    46 CFR 142.235(c)“All new installations and replacements must meet the requirements of this part.”

Common questions

Can old approved equipment stay in use on a towing vessel contracted before November 19, 1952?

Yes. Existing equipment and installations that were previously approved may continue in service so long as they are in good condition, even if they do not meet the current approval requirements of the Commandant.

“may be continued in service so long as they are in good condition.”

Do replacements on a towing vessel contracted before November 19, 1952 have to meet current rules?

Yes. All new installations and replacements must meet the requirements of this part.

“All new installations and replacements must meet the requirements of this part.”

The text of 46 CFR 142.235

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

Vessels contracted for prior to November 19, 1952

(a) Towing vessels contracted for construction prior to November 19, 1952, must meet the applicable provisions of this part concerning the number and general type of equipment required.

(b) Existing equipment and installations previously approved, but not meeting the applicable requirements for approval by the Commandant, may be continued in service so long as they are in good condition.

(c) All new installations and replacements must meet the requirements of this part.

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.