46 CFR 144.820: Guards on exposed hazards aboard towing vessels
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section covers protection of exposed hazards such as gears and rotating machinery. Each such hazard must be protected by a cover, guard or rail. The rule is not meant to restrict access to towing equipment needed to operate the vessel.
What it says
An exposed hazard, such as gears and rotating machinery, must be protected by a cover, guard or rail.
“An exposed hazard such as gears and rotating machinery, must be protected by a cover, guard or rail.”
The guarding requirement is not meant to restrict access to towing equipment such as winches, drums, towing gear or steering compartment equipment necessary for the operation of the vessel.
“This is not meant to restrict access to towing equipment such as winches, drums, towing gear or steering compartment equipment necessary for the operation of the vessel.”
Common questions
What must be done about exposed gears and rotating machinery?
An exposed hazard such as gears and rotating machinery must be protected by a cover, guard or rail.
“An exposed hazard such as gears and rotating machinery, must be protected by a cover, guard or rail.”
Do guards have to block access to winches and towing gear?
No. The section is not meant to restrict access to towing equipment such as winches, drums, towing gear or steering compartment equipment necessary for the operation of the vessel.
“This is not meant to restrict access to towing equipment such as winches, drums, towing gear or steering compartment equipment necessary for the operation of the vessel.”
The text of 46 CFR 144.820
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Guards in dangerous places
An exposed hazard such as gears and rotating machinery, must be protected by a cover, guard or rail. This is not meant to restrict access to towing equipment such as winches, drums, towing gear or steering compartment equipment necessary for the operation 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.