46 CFR 143.205: General machinery and electrical system requirements

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section sets general rules for machinery and electrical systems on towing vessels. Systems must be designed and maintained for safe operation in normal and emergency conditions. Crews must show they can operate them, and propulsion machinery must be maintained and suitable.

Applies toTowing vessels, including their machinery and electrical systems, propulsion machinery, and crews.

What it says

  1. Machinery and electrical systems must be designed and maintained so the towing vessel operates safely and persons onboard are safe, under normal and emergency conditions.

    46 CFR 143.205(a)“Machinery and electrical systems must be designed and maintained to provide for safe operation of the towing vessel and safety of persons onboard under normal and emergency conditions.”

  2. The crew of each towing vessel must demonstrate that they can operate the primary and auxiliary machinery and electrical systems they are responsible for, under normal and emergency conditions.

    46 CFR 143.205(b)“The crew of each towing vessel must demonstrate the ability to operate the primary and auxiliary machinery and electrical systems for which they are responsible, and to do so under normal and emergency conditions.”

  3. This crew demonstration includes, but is not limited to, responses to alarms and restoration of propulsion and steering in the event of failure.

    46 CFR 143.205(b)“This includes, but is not limited to, responses to alarms and restoration of propulsion and steering in the event of failure.”

  4. Propulsion machinery, including main engines, reduction gears, shafting, bearings, and electrical equipment and systems, must be maintained to ensure proper operation.

    46 CFR 143.205(c)(1)“Propulsion machinery, including main engines, reduction gears, shafting, bearings, and electrical equipment and systems, must:”

  5. Propulsion machinery must be suitable for route and service.

    46 CFR 143.205(c)(2)“Be suitable for route and service; and”

  6. Propulsion machinery must have suitable propulsion controls that give the operator full control at each operating station.

    46 CFR 143.205(c)(3)“Have suitable propulsion controls to provide the operator full control at each operating station.”

  7. Repairs and minor alterations to existing towing vessels must be made in accordance with this part.

    46 CFR 143.205(d)“Repairs and minor alterations to existing towing vessels must be made in accordance with this part.”

  8. New installations that are not replacements in kind must comply with subpart C of this part, if applicable.

    46 CFR 143.205(d)“New installations that are not replacements in kind must comply with the requirements of subpart C of this part, if applicable.”

Common questions

What must towing vessel crews demonstrate about machinery?

Crews must demonstrate that they can operate the primary and auxiliary machinery and electrical systems they are responsible for. They must do so under normal and emergency conditions.

“The crew of each towing vessel must demonstrate the ability to operate the primary and auxiliary machinery and electrical systems for which they are responsible, and to do so under normal and emergency conditions.”

What propulsion controls does a towing vessel need?

Propulsion machinery must have suitable propulsion controls that give the operator full control at each operating station.

“Have suitable propulsion controls to provide the operator full control at each operating station.”

What rules apply to new installations on towing vessels?

New installations that are not replacements in kind must comply with the requirements of subpart C of this part, if applicable.

“New installations that are not replacements in kind must comply with the requirements of subpart C of this part, if applicable.”

The text of 46 CFR 143.205

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

General

(a) Machinery and electrical systems must be designed and maintained to provide for safe operation of the towing vessel and safety of persons onboard under normal and emergency conditions.

(b) The crew of each towing vessel must demonstrate the ability to operate the primary and auxiliary machinery and electrical systems for which they are responsible, and to do so under normal and emergency conditions. This includes, but is not limited to, responses to alarms and restoration of propulsion and steering in the event of failure.

(c) Propulsion machinery, including main engines, reduction gears, shafting, bearings, and electrical equipment and systems, must:

(1) Be maintained to ensure proper operation;

(2) Be suitable for route and service; and

(3) Have suitable propulsion controls to provide the operator full control at each operating station.

(d) Repairs and minor alterations to existing towing vessels must be made in accordance with this part. New installations that are not replacements in kind must comply with the requirements of subpart C of this part, if applicable.

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.