46 CFR 144.105: Applicability and delayed compliance for towing vessels

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section says this part applies to each towing vessel subject to this subchapter. It sets delayed compliance dates for existing vessels and separates sections that apply only to existing or only to new vessels. It also covers major conversions and repairs on existing vessels.

Applies toEach towing vessel subject to this subchapter.

What it says

  1. This part applies to each towing vessel subject to this subchapter.

    “This part applies to each towing vessel subject to this subchapter.”

  2. Sections 144.200 and 144.300 apply only to an existing vessel.

    “Note that §§ 144.200 and 144.300 only apply to an existing vessel”

  3. Sections 144.205, 144.305, 144.310, 144.405, 144.410, 144.420, 144.425, 144.430, and 144.920 apply only to a new vessel.

    “the following sections only apply to a new vessel: §§ 144.205, 144.305, 144.310, 144.405, 144.410, 144.420, 144.425, 144.430, and 144.920.”

  4. An existing towing vessel must comply with § 144.320 starting July 20, 2016. It must meet the other applicable requirements in this part by July 20, 2018 or the date it obtains a Certificate of Inspection (COI), whichever is earlier.

    46 CFR 144.105(a)“An existing towing vessel must comply with § 144.320 starting July 20, 2016 and it must comply with the other applicable requirements in this part no later than either July 20, 2018 or the date the vessel obtains a Certificate of Inspection (COI), whichever date is earlier.”

  5. The delayed implementation provisions in paragraph (a) do not apply to a new towing vessel.

    46 CFR 144.105(b)“The delayed implementation provisions in paragraph (a) of this section do not apply to a new towing vessel.”

  6. Major conversions of an existing vessel's structure or arrangements, made on or after July 20, 2017, must comply with the regulations for a new towing vessel of this part insofar as is reasonable and practicable.

    46 CFR 144.105(c)“Alterations or modifications made to the structure or arrangements of an existing vessel that are a major conversion, made on or after the July 20, 2017, must comply with the regulations applied to a new towing vessel of this part insofar as is reasonable and practicable.”

  7. Repairs on an existing vessel that cause no significant changes to its original structure or arrangement must comply with the standards applicable at the time of construction or, as an alternative, with the regulations in this part.

    46 CFR 144.105(c)“Repairs conducted on an existing vessel, resulting in no significant changes to the original structure or arrangement of the vessel, must comply with the standards applicable to the vessel at the time of construction or, as an alternative, with the regulations in this part.”

Common questions

When must an existing towing vessel comply with this part?

An existing towing vessel must comply with § 144.320 starting July 20, 2016. It must meet the other applicable requirements by July 20, 2018 or the date it obtains a COI, whichever is earlier.

“An existing towing vessel must comply with § 144.320 starting July 20, 2016 and it must comply with the other applicable requirements in this part no later than either July 20, 2018 or the date the vessel obtains a Certificate of Inspection (COI), whichever date is earlier.”

Does the delayed implementation apply to new towing vessels?

No. The delayed implementation provisions in paragraph (a) do not apply to a new towing vessel.

“The delayed implementation provisions in paragraph (a) of this section do not apply to a new towing vessel.”

What rules apply to repairs on an existing towing vessel?

Repairs that result in no significant changes to the original structure or arrangement must comply with the standards applicable at the time of construction or, as an alternative, with this part.

“must comply with the standards applicable to the vessel at the time of construction or, as an alternative, with the regulations in this part.”

The text of 46 CFR 144.105

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

Applicability and delayed implementation

This part applies to each towing vessel subject to this subchapter. Note that §§ 144.200 and 144.300 only apply to an existing vessel and that the following sections only apply to a new vessel: §§ 144.205, 144.305, 144.310, 144.405, 144.410, 144.420, 144.425, 144.430, and 144.920.

(a) An existing towing vessel must comply with § 144.320 starting July 20, 2016 and it must comply with the other applicable requirements in this part no later than either July 20, 2018 or the date the vessel obtains a Certificate of Inspection (COI), whichever date is earlier.

(b) The delayed implementation provisions in paragraph (a) of this section do not apply to a new towing vessel.

(c) Alterations or modifications made to the structure or arrangements of an existing vessel that are a major conversion, made on or after the July 20, 2017, must comply with the regulations applied to a new towing vessel of this part insofar as is reasonable and practicable. Repairs conducted on an existing vessel, resulting in no significant changes to the original structure or arrangement of the vessel, must comply with the standards applicable to the vessel at the time of construction or, as an alternative, with the regulations in this part.

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.