---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 C.F.R. § 15.535"
title: "46"
number: "15.535"
heading: "Towing vessels."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/46/15.535"
---

# §15.535. Towing vessels.

- (a) **Applicability.** Except as provided in this [paragraph (a)](#a), the requirements in this section apply to a towing vessel subject to subchapter M of this chapter. Vessels subject to this section must also meet the requirements in [§ 15.515(c)](/cfr/46/15.515.md?p=c). A towing vessel at least 8 meters (26 feet) in length, measured from end to end over the deck (excluding sheer), that is not subject to subchapter M must meet the requirements in [paragraph (b)](#b) of this section if it is—
  - (1) A seagoing towing vessel of 300 gross tons or more subject to the provisions of subchapter I of this chapter;
  - (2) A vessel inspected under other subchapters of this chapter that may perform occasional towing; or
  - (3) A public vessel as defined in [46 U.S.C. 2101](/usc/46/2101.md).
- (b) **Towing vessels 8 meters or more in length.** Every towing vessel of at least 8 meters (26 feet) in length, measured from end to end over the deck (excluding sheer), must be under the direction and control of a person holding a MMC endorsed as Master or Mate (Pilot) of Towing Vessels or as Master or Mate of vessels of greater than 200 gross register tons, holding a completed Towing Officer Assessment Record signed by a designated examiner indicating that the officer is proficient in the operation of towing vessels upon the appropriate route.
- (c) **Towing Vessels of Any Length on the Lower Mississippi River.** In addition to the requirements of [paragraph (b)](#b) of this section, any towing vessel operating in the pilotage waters of the Lower Mississippi River must be under the control of an officer who holds either a First-Class Pilot's endorsement for that route, or MMC officer endorsement for the Western Rivers, or who meets the requirements of either paragraph [(c)(1)](#c-1) or [(2)](#c-2) of this section, as applicable.
  - (1) **Moving tank or hazardous material barges.** To operate a towing vessel with tank barges or a tow of barges carrying hazardous material regulated under subchapter N or O of this chapter, the officer in charge of the towing vessel must have completed at least 12 round trips over this route as an observer, with at least 3 of those trips during hours of darkness, and must provide evidence to the Coast Guard upon request that at least 1 of the 12 round trips occurred within the last 5 years.
  - (2) **Moving uninspected barges or no barges.** To operate a towing vessel without barges or a tow of uninspected barges, the officer in charge of the towing vessel must have completed at least 4 round trips over this route as an observer, with at least 1 of those trips during hours of darkness, and must provide evidence to the Coast Guard upon request that at least 1 of the 4 round trips occurred within the last 5 years.

## Notes

### Amendments

[USCG-2006-24412, 81 FR 40100, June 20, 2016]

### Source

Source: Redesignated by USCG-2004-17914, 78 FR 78001, Dec. 24, 2013, unless otherwise noted.

### Authority

Authority: 46 U.S.C. 2101, 2103, 3306, 3703, 8101, 8102, 8103, 8104, 8105, 8301, 8304, 8502, 8503, 8701, 8702, 8901, 8902, 8903, 8904, 8905(b), 8906 and 9102; sec. 617, Pub. L. 111-281, 124 Stat. 2905; and DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4.

### Source

Source: CGD 81-059, 52 FR 38652, Oct. 16, 1987, as amended by USCG-2021-0097, 89 FR 93118, Nov. 25, 2024, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[USCG-2006-24412, 81 FR 40100, June 20, 2016]