---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 C.F.R. § 140.715"
title: "46"
number: "140.715"
heading: "Communications equipment."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/46/140.715"
---

# §140.715. Communications equipment.

- (a) Towing vessels must meet the communications requirements of 33 CFR part [26](/cfr/33/part26.md) and [33](/cfr/33/part33.md) CFR 164.72, as applicable.
- (b) Towing vessels not subject to the provisions of 33 CFR part [26](/cfr/33/part26.md) or [33](/cfr/33/part33.md) CFR 164.72 must have a Very High Frequency-Frequency Modulated (VHF-FM) radio installed and capable of monitoring VHF-FM Channels 13 and 16, except when transmitting or receiving traffic on other VHF-FM channels, when participating in a Vessel Traffic Service (VTS), or when monitoring a channel of a VTS. The VHF-FM radio must be installed at each operating station and connected to a functioning battery backup.
- (c) All towing vessels must have at least one properly operating handheld VHF-FM radio in addition to the radios otherwise required.

## Notes

### Authority

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

### Source

Source: USCG-2006-24412, 81 FR 40101, June 20, 2016, unless otherwise noted.