46 CFR 143.260: Remote fuel shutoff valves on towing vessels
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section requires a remote fuel shutoff valve to stop fuel flow in a fire or fuel line break. The valve goes directly outside the fuel oil supply tank and must be operable from a safe place outside its space. Its control must be clearly marked.
Applies toTowing vessels under this subchapter, 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 143.260(a)“This section does not apply to an excepted towing vessel as defined in § 136.110 of this subchapter.”
A remote fuel shutoff valve must be fitted on any fuel line that supplies fuel directly to a propulsion engine or generator prime mover, to stop fuel flow in a fire or break in the fuel line.
46 CFR 143.260(b)“a remote fuel shutoff valve must be fitted on any fuel line that supplies fuel directly to a propulsion engine or generator prime mover.”
The valve must be installed in the fuel piping directly outside of the fuel oil supply tank.
46 CFR 143.260(c)“The valve must be installed in the fuel piping directly outside of the fuel oil supply tank.”
The valve must be operable from a safe place outside the space where the valve is installed.
46 CFR 143.260(d)“The valve must be operable from a safe place outside the space where the valve is installed.”
Each remote valve control must be marked in clearly legible letters at least 25 millimeters (1 inch) high, showing the valve's purpose and how to operate it.
46 CFR 143.260(e)“Each remote valve control must be marked in clearly legible letters, at least 25 millimeters (1 inch) high, indicating the purpose of the valve and the way to operate it.”
Common questions
Which fuel lines need a remote fuel shutoff valve?
Any fuel line that supplies fuel directly to a propulsion engine or generator prime mover needs a remote fuel shutoff valve.
“a remote fuel shutoff valve must be fitted on any fuel line that supplies fuel directly to a propulsion engine or generator prime mover.”
Where must the remote fuel shutoff valve be installed?
The valve must be installed in the fuel piping directly outside of the fuel oil supply tank.
“The valve must be installed in the fuel piping directly outside of the fuel oil supply tank.”
How big must the lettering on a fuel shutoff valve control be?
The letters must be clearly legible and at least 25 millimeters (1 inch) high. They must show the valve's purpose and how to operate it.
“Each remote valve control must be marked in clearly legible letters, at least 25 millimeters (1 inch) high, indicating the purpose of the valve and the way to operate it.”
Does the fuel shutoff requirement apply to excepted towing vessels?
No. This section does not apply to an excepted towing vessel as defined in § 136.110 of this subchapter.
“This section does not apply to an excepted towing vessel as defined in § 136.110 of this subchapter.”
The text of 46 CFR 143.260
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Fuel shutoff requirements
(a) This section does not apply to an excepted towing vessel as defined in § 136.110 of this subchapter.
(b) To stop the flow of fuel in the event of a fire or break in the fuel line, a remote fuel shutoff valve must be fitted on any fuel line that supplies fuel directly to a propulsion engine or generator prime mover.
(c) The valve must be installed in the fuel piping directly outside of the fuel oil supply tank.
(d) The valve must be operable from a safe place outside the space where the valve is installed.
(e) Each remote valve control must be marked in clearly legible letters, at least 25 millimeters (1 inch) high, indicating the purpose of the valve and the way to operate it.
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.