---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 C.F.R. § 143.235"
title: "46"
number: "143.235"
heading: "General alarms."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/46/143.235"
---

# §143.235. General alarms.

- (a) This section does not apply to an excepted vessel as defined in [§ 136.110](/cfr/46/136.110.md) of this subchapter.
- (b) Each towing vessel must be fitted with a general alarm that:
  - (1) Is activated at each operating station and can notify persons onboard in the event of an emergency;
  - (2) Is capable of notifying persons in any accommodation, work space, and the engine room;
  - (3) Has installed, in the engine room and any other area where background noise makes a general alarm hard to hear, a supplemental flashing red light that is identified with a sign that reads: “Attention General Alarm—When Alarm Sounds or Flashes Go to Your Station”; and
  - (4) A public-address (PA) system or other means of alerting all persons on the towing vessel may be used in lieu of the general alarm in [paragraph (b)](#b) of this section if the system meets the requirements of paragrahs (b)(2) and (3) of this section.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 46 U.S.C. 3103, 3301, 3306, 3308, 3316, 8104, 8904; 33 CFR 1.05; DHS Delegation No. 0170.1.

### Source

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