46 CFR 143.515: Towing vessels built to classification society rules
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section says a towing vessel classed by ABS under the named rules complies with this subpart, with an exception for vessels that move tank barges carrying oil or hazardous material in bulk. An unclassed vessel built to ABS rules may be deemed compliant. Vessels built to other recognized society rules may be considered compliant upon Coast Guard approval.
Applies toTowing vessels classed by ABS, built and equipped to ABS rules but not currently classed, or built to other recognized classification society rules.
What it says
Except as noted in paragraph (c), a towing vessel classed by ABS under the named ABS rules, as appropriate for the intended service and routes, complies with this subpart.
46 CFR 143.515(a)“a towing vessel classed by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), in accordance with the ABS Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels Under 90 Meters (295 Feet) in Length”
Except as noted in paragraph (c), the OCMI or a TPO may deem an unclassed towing vessel built and equipped to the ABS rules to comply with this subpart if it can be shown that the vessel continues to conform to the ABS rules.
46 CFR 143.515(b)“may be deemed by the OCMI or a TPO to be in compliance with this subpart if it can be shown that the vessel continues to conform to the ABS rules”
A vessel that complies under paragraph (a) or (b) must also meet the requirements in §§ 143.585 through 143.595, or the requirements of § 143.600, if it moves tank barges carrying oil or hazardous material in bulk.
46 CFR 143.515(c)“must also meet the requirements described in §§ 143.585 through 143.595 or the requirements of § 143.600 if it moves tank barges carrying oil or hazardous material in bulk”
Vessels meeting paragraph (a) or (b) are considered in compliance with subpart B of this part, except for the readiness and testing requirements of § 143.245 and the pilothouse alerter requirements of § 143.450.
46 CFR 143.515(d)“except for the readiness and testing requirements of § 143.245, and pilothouse alerter requirements of § 143.450”
Towing vessels built to other recognized classification society rules, appropriate for the intended route and service, may be considered compliant with provisions in this subpart upon approval by the Coast Guard.
46 CFR 143.515(e)“may be considered compliant with provisions in this subpart upon approval by the Coast Guard”
Common questions
Does an ABS-classed towing vessel comply with Subchapter M?
A towing vessel classed by ABS under the named rules, as appropriate for its service and routes, complies with this subpart, except as paragraph (c) notes.
“a towing vessel classed by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), in accordance with the ABS Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels Under 90 Meters (295 Feet) in Length”
Can a vessel built to ABS rules but not classed be deemed compliant?
Yes. The OCMI or a TPO may deem it compliant if it can be shown that the vessel continues to conform to the ABS rules.
“may be deemed by the OCMI or a TPO to be in compliance with this subpart if it can be shown that the vessel continues to conform to the ABS rules”
What extra requirements apply to ABS-compliant towing vessels that move tank barges?
If the vessel moves tank barges carrying oil or hazardous material in bulk, it must also meet §§ 143.585 through 143.595 or § 143.600.
“must also meet the requirements described in §§ 143.585 through 143.595 or the requirements of § 143.600 if it moves tank barges carrying oil or hazardous material in bulk”
Can towing vessels built to other classification society rules be compliant?
They may be considered compliant with provisions in this subpart upon approval by the Coast Guard, if the rules are appropriate for the intended route and service.
“may be considered compliant with provisions in this subpart upon approval by the Coast Guard”
The text of 46 CFR 143.515
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Towing vessels built to recognized classification society rules
(a) Except as noted in paragraph (c) of this section, a towing vessel classed by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), in accordance with the ABS Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels Under 90 Meters (295 Feet) in Length, or the ABS Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels for Service on Rivers and Intracoastal Waterways (incorporated by reference, see § 136.112 of this subchapter), as appropriate for the intended service and routes, complies with this subpart.
(b) Except as noted in paragraph (c) of this section, a towing vessel built and equipped to conform to the ABS rules specified in paragraph (a) of this section and appropriate for the intended service and routes, but not currently classed, may be deemed by the OCMI or a TPO to be in compliance with this subpart if it can be shown that the vessel continues to conform to the ABS rules.
(c) A vessel that complies with this subpart as described in paragraph (a) or (b) must also meet the requirements described in §§ 143.585 through 143.595 or the requirements of § 143.600 if it moves tank barges carrying oil or hazardous material in bulk.
(d) Vessels meeting either paragraph (a) or (b) of this section are considered as being in compliance with subpart B of this part except for the readiness and testing requirements of § 143.245, and pilothouse alerter requirements of § 143.450.
(e) Towing vessels built to other recognized classification society rules, appropriate for the intended route and service, may be considered compliant with provisions in this subpart upon approval by the Coast Guard.
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.