---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 C.F.R. § 139.115"
title: "46"
number: "139.115"
heading: "General."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/46/139.115"
---

# §139.115. General.

- (a) The Coast Guard approves TPOs to carry out functions related to ensuring that towing vessels comply with provisions of this subchapter. Organizations may be approved to:
  - (1) Conduct audits of a Towing Safety Management System (TSMS), and the vessels to which the TSMS applies, to verify compliance with the applicable provisions of this subchapter;
  - (2) Issue TSMS certificates to the owner or managing operator who is in compliance with [part 138](/cfr/46/part138.md) of this subchapter;
  - (3) Conduct surveys of towing vessels to verify compliance with the applicable provisions of this subchapter; and
  - (4) Issue survey reports detailing the results of surveys, carried out in compliance with [part 137](/cfr/46/part137.md) of this subchapter.
- (b) An organization seeking approval under this part must provide objective evidence to the Coast Guard that its program:
  - (1) Is independent of the owner or managing operator and vessels that it audits or surveys;
  - (2) Operates within a quality management system acceptable to the Coast Guard;
  - (3) Ensures its auditors and surveyors are qualified and maintain continued competence;
  - (4) Demonstrates the ability to carry out the responsibilities of approval; and
  - (5) **Meets all other requirements of this part.**
- (c) A list of TPOs will be maintained by the Coast Guard, and made available upon request.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 46 U.S.C. 3103, 3301, 3306, 3308, 3316, 8104, 8904; 33 CFR 1.05; DHS Delegation 0170.1.

### Source

Source: 81 FR 40101, June 20, 2016, unless otherwise noted.