---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 8904"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "8904"
heading: "Towing vessels"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/8904"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part F — Manning of Vessels"
  - "Chapter 89 — Small Vessel Manning"
---

# §8904. Towing vessels

- (a) A [towing vessel](/usc/46/2101.md?p=54) that is at least 26 feet in length measured from end to end over the deck (excluding sheer), shall be operated by an individual licensed by the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) to operate that type of vessel in the particular geographic area, under prescribed regulations.
- (b) A vessel that tows a disabled vessel for [consideration](/usc/46/2101.md?p=5) shall be operated by an individual licensed by the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) to operate that type of vessel in the particular geographic area, under prescribed regulations.
- (c) The [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) may prescribe by regulation requirements for maximum hours of service (including recording and recordkeeping of that service) of individuals engaged on a [towing vessel](/usc/46/2101.md?p=54) that is at least 26 feet in length measured from end to end over the deck (excluding the sheer).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 555; Pub. L. 99–640, § 12(a), Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3550; Pub. L. 108–293, title IV, § 409(a), Aug. 9, 2004, 118 Stat. 1044.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |
| --- | --- |
| Revised section | Source section (U.S. Code) |
| 8904 | 46:405(b)(2) |

Section 8904 requires that a 26-foot or larger towing vessel be operated by a licensed individual for that type of vessel and for a particular geographic area.

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2004—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 108–293 added subsec. (c).

1986—Pub. L. 99–640 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a) and added subsec. (b).

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Pub. L. 99–640, § 12(b), Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3551, provided that: “The amendments made by subsection (a) of this section [amending this section] shall take effect on January 1, 1988.”

### Demonstration Project

Pub. L. 108–293, title IV, § 409(b), Aug. 9, 2004, 118 Stat. 1045, provided that: “Prior to prescribing regulations under this section [amending this section] the Secretary shall conduct and report to the Congress on the results of a demonstration project involving the implementation of Crew Endurance Management Systems on towing vessels. The report shall include a description of the public and private sector resources needed to enable implementation of Crew Endurance Management Systems on all United States-flag towing vessels.”