46 CFR 143.210: Alternate design approval for machinery and electrical systems
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section lets the Commanding Officer, Marine Safety Center approve machinery or electrical systems of novel design that cannot be reviewed or approved in accordance with this part. Systematic analysis must show an equivalent level of safety. Alternate arrangements or equipment may be approved in accordance with § 136.115 of this subchapter.
Applies toParagraph (a) applies to machinery or electrical systems of a novel design, unusual form, or special material that cannot be reviewed or approved in accordance with this part.
What it says
The Commanding Officer, Marine Safety Center may approve machinery or electrical systems of novel design, unusual form, or special material that cannot be reviewed or approved in accordance with this part.
46 CFR 143.210(a)“Machinery or electrical systems of a novel design, unusual form, or special material that cannot be reviewed or approved in accordance with this part, may be approved by the Commanding Officer, Marine Safety Center.”
Systematic analysis, based on engineering principles, must show that the machinery or electrical equipment or system provides an equivalent level of safety.
46 CFR 143.210(a)“It must be shown by systematic analysis, based on engineering principles, that the machinery or electrical equipment or system provides an equivalent level of safety.”
For approval under paragraph (a), the owner or managing operator must submit detailed plans, material component specifications, and design criteria to the Marine Safety Center, including the expected towing vessel service and operating environment.
46 CFR 143.210(a)“The owner or managing operator must submit detailed plans, material component specifications, and design criteria, including the expected towing vessel service and operating environment, to the Marine Safety Center.”
Examples of novel design include liquefied natural gas, compressed natural gas, or propane fuel for propulsion, and hybrid, fuel cell, or battery propulsion.
46 CFR 143.210(a)“Examples of novel design include use of liquefied natural gas, compressed natural gas, or propane fuel for propulsion, and hybrid, fuel cell, or battery propulsion.”
Alternate arrangements or equipment to comply with this part may be approved in accordance with § 136.115 of this subchapter.
46 CFR 143.210(b)“Alternate arrangements or equipment to comply with this part may be approved in accordance with § 136.115 of this subchapter.”
Common questions
Who approves novel machinery or electrical systems on a towing vessel?
The Commanding Officer, Marine Safety Center may approve them when they cannot be reviewed or approved in accordance with this part.
“may be approved by the Commanding Officer, Marine Safety Center.”
What must be submitted to get a novel design approved?
The owner or managing operator must submit detailed plans, material component specifications, and design criteria to the Marine Safety Center. These must include the expected towing vessel service and operating environment.
“The owner or managing operator must submit detailed plans, material component specifications, and design criteria, including the expected towing vessel service and operating environment, to the Marine Safety Center.”
Are battery or LNG propulsion systems considered novel designs?
Yes, the text lists liquefied natural gas, compressed natural gas, or propane fuel for propulsion, and hybrid, fuel cell, or battery propulsion as examples of novel design.
“Examples of novel design include use of liquefied natural gas, compressed natural gas, or propane fuel for propulsion, and hybrid, fuel cell, or battery propulsion.”
How are other alternate arrangements or equipment approved?
They may be approved in accordance with § 136.115 of this subchapter.
“Alternate arrangements or equipment to comply with this part may be approved in accordance with § 136.115 of this subchapter.”
The text of 46 CFR 143.210
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Alternate design or operational considerations
(a) Machinery or electrical systems of a novel design, unusual form, or special material that cannot be reviewed or approved in accordance with this part, may be approved by the Commanding Officer, Marine Safety Center. It must be shown by systematic analysis, based on engineering principles, that the machinery or electrical equipment or system provides an equivalent level of safety. The owner or managing operator must submit detailed plans, material component specifications, and design criteria, including the expected towing vessel service and operating environment, to the Marine Safety Center. Examples of novel design include use of liquefied natural gas, compressed natural gas, or propane fuel for propulsion, and hybrid, fuel cell, or battery propulsion.
(b) Alternate arrangements or equipment to comply with this part may be approved in accordance with § 136.115 of this subchapter.
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.