46 CFR 143.450: Pilothouse alerter system on towing vessels
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
A towing vessel with overnight accommodations and alternating watches (shift work), when pulling, pushing or hauling alongside one or more barges, must have a system to detect when its master or mate (pilot) becomes incapacitated. The pilothouse alarm must be distinct, its timer must be reset at intervals not to exceed 10 minutes, and another crewmember must be notified if it is not acknowledged. Paragraphs (d) and (e) give exceptions.
Applies toTowing vessels with overnight accommodations and alternating watches (shift work), when pulling, pushing or hauling alongside one or more barges, except as provided in paragraph (d) or (e).
What it says
A towing vessel with overnight accommodations and alternating watches (shift work), when pulling, pushing or hauling alongside one or more barges, must have a system to detect when its master or mate (pilot) becomes incapacitated, except as provided in paragraph (d) or (e).
46 CFR 143.450(a)“a towing vessel with overnight accommodations and alternating watches (shift work), when pulling, pushing or hauling alongside one or more barges, must have a system to detect when its master or mate (pilot) becomes incapacitated.”
The system must have an alarm in the pilothouse that is distinct from any other alarm.
46 CFR 143.450(a)(1)“Have an alarm in the pilothouse distinct from any other alarm;”
The system must require action from the master or officer in charge of a navigational watch, during an interval not to exceed 10 minutes, to reset the alarm timer.
46 CFR 143.450(a)(2)“Require action from the master or officer in charge of a navigational watch, during an interval not to exceed 10 minutes, in order to reset the alarm timer; and”
The system must immediately (within 30 seconds) notify another crewmember if the pilothouse alarm is not acknowledged.
46 CFR 143.450(a)(3)“Immediately (within 30 seconds) notify another crewmember if the pilothouse alarm is not acknowledged.”
The owner or managing operator may adjust the alarm time interval, but it must not be in excess of 10 minutes.
46 CFR 143.450(b)“The time may be adjusted by the owner or managing operator but must not be in excess of 10 minutes.”
The alarm may be reset physically, such as with a push button, or through a link to other pilothouse action such as rudder or throttle control movement, or motion detection of personnel.
46 CFR 143.450(c)“The system alarm may be reset physically (e.g. a push button), or the reset may be accomplished by a link to other pilothouse action”
A towing vessel need not comply with this section if a second person is provided in the pilothouse.
46 CFR 143.450(d)“A towing vessel need not comply with this section if a second person is provided in the pilothouse.”
Towing vessels 65 feet or less in length are not required to have a pilothouse alerter system.
46 CFR 143.450(e)“Towing vessels 65 feet or less in length are not required to have a pilothouse alerter system.”
Common questions
What is the maximum reset interval for a pilothouse alerter?
The interval must not be in excess of 10 minutes. The owner or managing operator may adjust the time up to that limit.
“The time may be adjusted by the owner or managing operator but must not be in excess of 10 minutes.”
Does a towing vessel 65 feet or less need a pilothouse alerter?
No. Towing vessels 65 feet or less in length are not required to have a pilothouse alerter system.
“Towing vessels 65 feet or less in length are not required to have a pilothouse alerter system.”
Do I need an alerter if a second person is in the pilothouse?
No. A towing vessel need not comply with this section if a second person is provided in the pilothouse.
“A towing vessel need not comply with this section if a second person is provided in the pilothouse.”
What happens if the pilothouse alarm is not acknowledged?
The system must immediately (within 30 seconds) notify another crewmember.
“Immediately (within 30 seconds) notify another crewmember if the pilothouse alarm is not acknowledged.”
The text of 46 CFR 143.450
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Pilothouse alerter system
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (d) or (e) of this section, a towing vessel with overnight accommodations and alternating watches (shift work), when pulling, pushing or hauling alongside one or more barges, must have a system to detect when its master or mate (pilot) becomes incapacitated. The system must:
(1) Have an alarm in the pilothouse distinct from any other alarm;
(2) Require action from the master or officer in charge of a navigational watch, during an interval not to exceed 10 minutes, in order to reset the alarm timer; and
(3) Immediately (within 30 seconds) notify another crewmember if the pilothouse alarm is not acknowledged.
(b) The time interval for the system alarm must be adjustable. The time may be adjusted by the owner or managing operator but must not be in excess of 10 minutes. This time interval, and information on alerter operation, must be provided on board and specified in the vessel's TSMS if applicable.
(c) The system alarm may be reset physically (e.g. a push button), or the reset may be accomplished by a link to other pilothouse action such as rudder or throttle control movement, or motion detection of personnel.
(d) A towing vessel need not comply with this section if a second person is provided in the pilothouse.
(e) Towing vessels 65 feet or less in length are not required to have a pilothouse alerter system.
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.