46 CFR 27.305: Fire-extinguishing equipment on towing vessels
Last reviewed: November 9, 2026
This section sets fire-extinguishing equipment requirements for towing vessels. The vessel must carry hand-portable extinguishers and an approved CO2 extinguisher for the engine room. It must also have a fixed fire-extinguishing system in the engine room. Paragraph (c) excepts certain towing vessels that handle restricted-route barges.
Applies toTowing vessels, except those described in paragraph (c).
What it says
You must carry the minimum number of hand-portable fire extinguishers required by subpart 25.30 of this part.
46 CFR 27.305(a)(1)“The minimum number of hand-portable fire extinguishers required by subpart 25.30 of this part; and”
You must also carry an approved 160-B or 100 lb. CO2 extinguisher, regardless of rating, to protect the engine room.
46 CFR 27.305(a)(2)“An approved 160-B or 100 lb. CO2 extinguisher, regardless of rating, to protect the engine room.”
You must have a fixed fire-extinguishing system installed to protect the engine room of the vessel.
46 CFR 27.305(b)“You must have a fixed fire-extinguishing system installed to protect the engine room of the vessel.”
This section does not apply to a towing vessel pushing a barge ahead or hauling a barge alongside when the barge's route is restricted, as its certificate of inspection indicates, to operation "in fair weather only, within 12 miles of shore," or words to that effect.
46 CFR 27.305(c)“when the barge's coastwise or Great Lakes route is restricted (as indicated on its certificate of inspection), so that the barge may operate “in fair weather only, within 12 miles of shore,””
Common questions
Do I need a fixed fire-extinguishing system in the engine room of my towing vessel?
Yes. You must have a fixed fire-extinguishing system installed to protect the engine room of the vessel, unless the paragraph (c) exception applies to your tow.
“You must have a fixed fire-extinguishing system installed to protect the engine room of the vessel.”
What size CO2 extinguisher must protect the engine room?
You must carry an approved 160-B or 100 lb. CO2 extinguisher, regardless of rating, to protect the engine room.
“An approved 160-B or 100 lb. CO2 extinguisher, regardless of rating, to protect the engine room.”
Where do I find the number of hand-portable fire extinguishers required?
The minimum number of hand-portable fire extinguishers is the number required by subpart 25.30 of this part.
“The minimum number of hand-portable fire extinguishers required by subpart 25.30 of this part; and”
The text of 46 CFR 27.305
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
What are the requirements for fire-extinguishing equipment on towing vessels in ocean or coastal service whose construction was contracted for on or after August 27, 2003?
(a) You must carry on your towing vessel both—
(1) The minimum number of hand-portable fire extinguishers required by subpart 25.30 of this part; and
(2) An approved 160-B or 100 lb. CO2 extinguisher, regardless of rating, to protect the engine room.
(b) You must have a fixed fire-extinguishing system installed to protect the engine room of the vessel.
(c) This section does not apply to any towing vessel pushing a barge ahead, or hauling a barge alongside, when the barge's coastwise or Great Lakes route is restricted (as indicated on its certificate of inspection), so that the barge may operate “in fair weather only, within 12 miles of shore,” or with words to that effect.
Sections it refers to
- subpart 25.30 of this part
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.