46 CFR 143.200: Applicability and implementation dates for towing vessels

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section says this subpart applies to all towing vessels subject to this subchapter. Existing towing vessels must comply by July 20, 2018 or when they get a Certificate of Inspection, whichever is earlier. Later dates apply to requirements in §§ 143.450 and 143.460.

Applies toAll towing vessels subject to this subchapter, with delayed implementation provisions for existing towing vessels only.

What it says

  1. This subpart applies to all towing vessels subject to this subchapter.

    46 CFR 143.200(a)“This subpart applies to all towing vessels subject to this subchapter.”

  2. An existing towing vessel must comply with the applicable requirements in this part by July 20, 2018 or the date it obtains a Certificate of Inspection (COI), whichever is earlier, except as paragraph (c) provides.

    46 CFR 143.200(b)“an existing towing vessel must comply with the applicable requirements in this part no later than either July 20, 2018 or the date the vessel obtains a Certificate of Inspection (COI), whichever date is earlier.”

  3. The delayed implementation provisions in this section do not apply to a new towing vessel.

    46 CFR 143.200(b)“The delayed implementation provisions in this section do not apply to a new towing vessel.”

  4. Existing vessels must meet the pilothouse alerter and towing machinery requirements of §§ 143.450 and 143.460 no later than 5 years after the issuance of the first COI for the vessel.

    46 CFR 143.200(c)“Existing vessels must meet the pilothouse alerter and towing machinery requirements of §§ 143.450 and 143.460 no later than 5 years after the issuance of the first COI for the vessel.”

Common questions

Which towing vessels does this subpart apply to?

It applies to all towing vessels subject to this subchapter.

“This subpart applies to all towing vessels subject to this subchapter.”

Do new towing vessels get the delayed compliance dates?

No. The delayed implementation provisions in this section do not apply to a new towing vessel.

“The delayed implementation provisions in this section do not apply to a new towing vessel.”

When must existing vessels meet the pilothouse alerter and towing machinery requirements?

Existing vessels must meet the requirements of §§ 143.450 and 143.460 no later than 5 years after the issuance of the first COI for the vessel.

“Existing vessels must meet the pilothouse alerter and towing machinery requirements of §§ 143.450 and 143.460 no later than 5 years after the issuance of the first COI for the vessel.”

The text of 46 CFR 143.200

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

Applicability

(a) This subpart applies to all towing vessels subject to this subchapter.

(b) Except as noted paragraph (c) of this section, which lists later implementation dates for requirements in §§ 143.450 and 143.460, an existing towing vessel must comply with the applicable requirements in this part no later than either July 20, 2018 or the date the vessel obtains a Certificate of Inspection (COI), whichever date is earlier. The delayed implementation provisions in this section do not apply to a new towing vessel.

(c) Existing vessels must meet the pilothouse alerter and towing machinery requirements of §§ 143.450 and 143.460 no later than 5 years after the issuance of the first COI for the vessel.

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.