46 CFR 143.580: Alternative installations under ABS rules

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section lets a vessel meet certain ABS rules in lieu of meeting the requirements of §§ 143.555 through 143.575. One ABS option has no operating condition stated. The other applies only if the vessel operates exclusively on rivers or intracoastal waterways.

What it says

  1. A vessel may meet the ABS rules listed in this section in lieu of meeting the requirements of §§ 143.555 through 143.575.

    “In lieu of meeting the requirements of §§ 143.555 through 143.575, a vessel may meet the following:”

  2. A vessel may meet Part 4, Chapter 6 of the ABS Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels Under 90 Meters (295 Feet) in Length, which are incorporated by reference as § 136.112 of this subchapter describes.

    46 CFR 143.580(a)“ABS Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels Under 90 Meters (295 Feet) in Length (incorporated by reference, see § 136.112 of this subchapter), Part 4, Chapter 6; or”

  3. A vessel may meet Part 4, Chapter 5 of the ABS Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels for Service on Rivers and Intracoastal Waterways, if it operates exclusively on rivers or intracoastal waterways.

    46 CFR 143.580(b)“if they operate exclusively on rivers or intracoastal waterways.”

Common questions

Can a towing vessel use ABS rules instead of 46 CFR 143.555 through 143.575?

Yes. A vessel may meet the ABS rules listed in this section in lieu of meeting the requirements of §§ 143.555 through 143.575.

“In lieu of meeting the requirements of §§ 143.555 through 143.575, a vessel may meet the following:”

When can a vessel use the ABS rules for rivers and intracoastal waterways?

A vessel may use Part 4, Chapter 5 of those rules if it operates exclusively on rivers or intracoastal waterways.

“if they operate exclusively on rivers or intracoastal waterways.”

Where are the ABS rules incorporated by reference for this section?

The text directs the reader to § 136.112 of this subchapter for the incorporation by reference of the ABS rules.

“(incorporated by reference, see § 136.112 of this subchapter)”

The text of 46 CFR 143.580

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR

Alternative electrical installations

In lieu of meeting the requirements of §§ 143.555 through 143.575, a vessel may meet the following:

(a) ABS Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels Under 90 Meters (295 Feet) in Length (incorporated by reference, see § 136.112 of this subchapter), Part 4, Chapter 6; or

(b) ABS Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels for Service on Rivers and Intracoastal Waterways (incorporated by reference, see § 136.112 of this subchapter), Part 4, Chapter 5, if they operate exclusively on rivers or intracoastal waterways.

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.