46 CFR 144.300: Stability standards for existing towing vessels

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section sets stability standards for an existing vessel. If the vessel operates under a stability document, the owner or managing operator must be able to readily produce a copy. If it does not, the owner or managing operator must be able to show at least one of three things listed in paragraph (b).

Applies toThe owner or managing operator of an existing vessel, depending on whether the vessel operates under a stability document.

What it says

  1. The owner or managing operator of an existing vessel operating under a stability document must be able to readily produce a copy of that document.

    46 CFR 144.300(a)“The owner or managing operator of an existing vessel operating under a stability document must be able to readily produce a copy of such document.”

  2. The owner or managing operator of an existing vessel not operating under a stability document must be able to show at least one of the three items listed in paragraph (b).

    46 CFR 144.300(b)“The owner or managing operator of an existing vessel not operating under a stability document must be able to show at least one of the following:”

  3. One option is to show that the vessel's operation or history of satisfactory service does not cause the Coast Guard or a TPO engaged to perform an audit or survey to question its stability.

    46 CFR 144.300(b)(1)“The vessel's operation or a history of satisfactory service does not cause the stability of the vessel to be questioned by either the Coast Guard or a TPO engaged to perform an audit or survey.”

  4. Another option is to show that the vessel performs successfully on operational tests that determine whether it has adequate stability and handling characteristics.

    46 CFR 144.300(b)(2)“The vessel performs successfully on operational tests to determine whether the vessel has adequate stability and handling characteristics.”

  5. A third option is to show a satisfactory stability assessment that gives due consideration to each item that impacts the vessel's stability characteristics, including but not limited to form, arrangement, construction, number of decks, route, and operating restrictions.

    46 CFR 144.300(b)(3)“The vessel has a satisfactory stability assessment by means of giving due consideration to each item that impacts a vessel's stability characteristics”

Common questions

Do I have to produce a stability document for an existing vessel?

Only if the vessel operates under a stability document. In that case, the owner or managing operator must be able to readily produce a copy.

“The owner or managing operator of an existing vessel operating under a stability document must be able to readily produce a copy of such document.”

What if my existing vessel has no stability document?

The owner or managing operator must be able to show at least one of three things listed in paragraph (b): satisfactory service history, successful operational tests, or a satisfactory stability assessment.

“The owner or managing operator of an existing vessel not operating under a stability document must be able to show at least one of the following:”

What items does a stability assessment have to consider?

It must give due consideration to each item that impacts stability, including but not limited to the vessel's form, arrangement, construction, number of decks, route, and operating restrictions.

“which include, but are not limited to, the form, arrangement, construction, number of decks, route, and operating restrictions of the vessel.”

The text of 46 CFR 144.300

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

Stability standards for an existing vessel

(a) The owner or managing operator of an existing vessel operating under a stability document must be able to readily produce a copy of such document.

(b) The owner or managing operator of an existing vessel not operating under a stability document must be able to show at least one of the following:

(1) The vessel's operation or a history of satisfactory service does not cause the stability of the vessel to be questioned by either the Coast Guard or a TPO engaged to perform an audit or survey.

(2) The vessel performs successfully on operational tests to determine whether the vessel has adequate stability and handling characteristics.

(3) The vessel has a satisfactory stability assessment by means of giving due consideration to each item that impacts a vessel's stability characteristics which include, but are not limited to, the form, arrangement, construction, number of decks, route, and operating restrictions of the vessel.

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.