46 CFR 143.240: Pilothouse to engine room communication
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section requires each towing vessel to have a communication system between the pilothouse and the engine room. The system must provide two-way voice communication and have a power supply independent of the vessel's electrical system. The section lists exceptions for excepted towing vessels, certain multi-engine vessels, and close-set engine controls.
Applies toTowing vessels, except an excepted towing vessel as defined in § 136.110 of this subchapter.
What it says
This section does not apply to an excepted towing vessel as defined in § 136.110 of this subchapter.
46 CFR 143.240(a)“This section does not apply to an excepted towing vessel as defined in § 136.110 of this subchapter.”
Each towing vessel must be fitted with a communication system between the pilothouse and the engine room.
46 CFR 143.240(b)“Each towing vessel must be fitted with a communication system between the pilothouse and the engine room that:”
The system may be fixed or portable equipment, such as a sound-powered telephone, portable radios, or other reliable method of voice communication. It must have a main or reserve power supply that is independent of the towing vessel's electrical system.
46 CFR 143.240(b)(1)“Consists of either fixed or portable equipment, such as a sound-powered telephone, portable radios, or other reliable method of voice communication, with a main or reserve power supply that is independent of the towing vessel's electrical system; and”
The system must provide two-way voice communication and calling between the pilothouse and either the engine room or a location immediately adjacent to an exit from the engine room.
46 CFR 143.240(b)(2)“Provides two-way voice communication and calling between the pilothouse and either the engine room or a location immediately adjacent to an exit from the engine room.”
Towing vessels with more than one propulsion unit and independent pilothouse control for all engines are not required to have internal communication systems.
46 CFR 143.240(c)“Towing vessels with more than one propulsion unit and independent pilothouse control for all engines are not required to have internal communication systems.”
Direct voice communication is acceptable instead of a communication system when the pilothouse engine controls and the engine room access are within 3 meters (10 feet) of each other and allow unobstructed visible contact between them.
46 CFR 143.240(d)“When the pilothouse engine controls and the access to the engine room are within 3 meters (10 feet) of each other and allow unobstructed visible contact between them, direct voice communication is acceptable instead of a communication system.”
Common questions
Does a towing vessel need a communication system between the pilothouse and engine room?
Yes, each towing vessel must be fitted with one, unless an exception in this section applies. Excepted towing vessels as defined in § 136.110 of this subchapter are not covered by the section.
“Each towing vessel must be fitted with a communication system between the pilothouse and the engine room that:”
Can portable radios be used for engine room communication on a towing vessel?
Yes, the system may be fixed or portable equipment, such as portable radios. It must have a main or reserve power supply independent of the towing vessel's electrical system.
“Consists of either fixed or portable equipment, such as a sound-powered telephone, portable radios, or other reliable method of voice communication, with a main or reserve power supply that is independent of the towing vessel's electrical system; and”
When is direct voice communication enough instead of a communication system?
Direct voice communication is acceptable when the pilothouse engine controls and engine room access are within 3 meters (10 feet) of each other and allow unobstructed visible contact between them.
“When the pilothouse engine controls and the access to the engine room are within 3 meters (10 feet) of each other and allow unobstructed visible contact between them, direct voice communication is acceptable instead of a communication system.”
Which towing vessels with more than one propulsion unit do not need an internal communication system?
Towing vessels with more than one propulsion unit and independent pilothouse control for all engines are not required to have internal communication systems. Both conditions must be met.
“Towing vessels with more than one propulsion unit and independent pilothouse control for all engines are not required to have internal communication systems.”
The text of 46 CFR 143.240
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Communication requirements
(a) This section does not apply to an excepted towing vessel as defined in § 136.110 of this subchapter.
(b) Each towing vessel must be fitted with a communication system between the pilothouse and the engine room that:
(1) Consists of either fixed or portable equipment, such as a sound-powered telephone, portable radios, or other reliable method of voice communication, with a main or reserve power supply that is independent of the towing vessel's electrical system; and
(2) Provides two-way voice communication and calling between the pilothouse and either the engine room or a location immediately adjacent to an exit from the engine room.
(c) Towing vessels with more than one propulsion unit and independent pilothouse control for all engines are not required to have internal communication systems.
(d) When the pilothouse engine controls and the access to the engine room are within 3 meters (10 feet) of each other and allow unobstructed visible contact between them, direct voice communication is acceptable instead of a communication system.
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.