46 CFR 143.600: Alternative standards for tank barge towing vessels

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section lets a towing vessel use certain ABS rules in place of §§ 143.585 through 143.595. It also gives an exception for vessels that operate exclusively on rivers or intracoastal waterways.

Applies toTowing vessels that may choose to comply with the ABS Rules instead of §§ 143.585 through 143.595.

What it says

  1. A towing vessel may comply with Sections 7-5 (class ABCU) and 3-5 (class R2) of Part 4 of the ABS Rules instead of meeting §§ 143.585 through 143.595.

    “In lieu of meeting §§ 143.585 through 143.595, a towing vessel may comply with Sections 7-5 (class ABCU) and 3-5 (class R2) of Part 4 of the ABS Rules”

  2. The ABS Rules are titled Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels Under 90 Meters (295 Feet) in Length and are incorporated by reference, as § 136.112 of this subchapter describes.

    “Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels Under 90 Meters (295 Feet) in Length (incorporated by reference, see § 136.112 of this subchapter)”

  3. A vessel that operates exclusively on rivers or intracoastal waterways does not need to comply with 4-7-4/3.9 or with the automatic day tank fill pump requirement of 4-7-4/25.3.

    “except that a vessel that operates exclusively on rivers or intracoastal waterways does not need to comply with 4-7-4/3.9 and the automatic day tank fill pump requirement of 4-7-4/25.3.”

Common questions

Can a towing vessel use the ABS Rules instead of 46 CFR 143.585 through 143.595?

Yes. A towing vessel may comply with Sections 7-5 (class ABCU) and 3-5 (class R2) of Part 4 of the ABS Rules instead of those sections.

“In lieu of meeting §§ 143.585 through 143.595, a towing vessel may comply with Sections 7-5 (class ABCU) and 3-5 (class R2) of Part 4 of the ABS Rules”

Which towing vessels are excused from some ABS requirements under this section?

A vessel that operates exclusively on rivers or intracoastal waterways does not need to comply with 4-7-4/3.9 and the automatic day tank fill pump requirement of 4-7-4/25.3.

“a vessel that operates exclusively on rivers or intracoastal waterways does not need to comply with 4-7-4/3.9 and the automatic day tank fill pump requirement of 4-7-4/25.3.”

Where are the ABS Rules incorporated by reference?

The text says the ABS Rules are incorporated by reference and sends the reader to § 136.112 of this subchapter.

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

The text of 46 CFR 143.600

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

Alternative standards for vessels that move tank barges carrying oil or hazardous material in bulk

In lieu of meeting §§ 143.585 through 143.595, a towing vessel may comply with Sections 7-5 (class ABCU) and 3-5 (class R2) of Part 4 of the ABS Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels Under 90 Meters (295 Feet) in Length (incorporated by reference, see § 136.112 of this subchapter), except that a vessel that operates exclusively on rivers or intracoastal waterways does not need to comply with 4-7-4/3.9 and the automatic day tank fill pump requirement of 4-7-4/25.3.

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.