(a) Towing vessels in compliance with Chapter II-2 of SOLAS (incorporated by reference, see § 136.112 of this subchapter) will be deemed to be in compliance with this part.

(b) Towing vessels that comply with other alternate standards, deemed by the Commandant to provide an equivalent level of safety and performance, will be in compliance with this part.

(a) Alternate arrangements or equipment to comply with this part may be approved in accordance with § 136.115 of this subchapter.

(b) All owners or operators of towing vessels with a Towing Safety Management System (TSMS) may comply with the requirements of subpart B of this part by outfitting their vessels with appropriate alternate arrangements or equipment so long as these variations provide an equivalent level of safety and performance and are properly documented in the TSMS.

(c) The cognizant Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI) may require a towing vessel to carry specialized or additional fire protection, suppression, or detection equipment if:

(1) He or she determines that the conditions of the voyage render the requirements of this part inadequate; or

(2) The towing vessel is operated in globally remote areas or severe environments not covered under this part. These areas may include, but are not limited to, polar regions, remote islands, areas of extreme weather, and other remote areas where timely emergency assistance cannot be anticipated.

(a) All portable fire extinguishers, semi-portable fire-extinguishing systems, and fixed fire-extinguishing systems required by this part must be approved by the Commandant (CG-ENG). Where other equipment in this part is required to be approved, such equipment requires the specific approval of the Commandant.

(b) A listing of approved equipment and materials may be found online at https://cgmix.uscg.mil/equipment. Each cognizant OCMI may be contacted for information concerning approved equipment and materials.

(c) New installations of fire-extinguishing and fire-detection equipment of a type not required, or in excess of that required by this part, may be permitted—

(1) If Coast Guard approved;

(2) If accepted by the local OCMI or TPO, as applicable; or

(3) If equipment and components are listed and labeled by an independent Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL), as that term is defined in 29 CFR 1910.7, and are designed, installed, tested, and maintained in accordance with an appropriate industry standard and the manufacturer's specific guidance.

(d) Existing equipment and installations, of a type not required, or in excess of that required by this part, not meeting the applicable requirements of this part may be continued in service so long as they are in good condition and accepted by the local OCMI or TPO.

Each towing vessel must be maintained and operated so as to minimize fire hazards and to ensure the following:

(a) All bilges and void spaces are kept free from accumulation of combustible and flammable materials and liquids insofar as practicable.

(b) Storage areas are kept free from accumulation of combustible and flammable materials insofar as practicable.

(a) Paints, coatings, or other flammable or combustible products onboard a towing vessel must be stored in a designated storage room or cabinet when not in use.

(b) If a storage room is provided, it may be any room or compartment that is free of ignition sources.

(c) If a dedicated storage cabinet is provided it must be secured to the vessel so that it does not move and must be either:

(1) A flammable liquid storage cabinet that satisfies UL 1275 (incorporated by reference, see § 136.112 of this subchapter); or

(2) A flammable liquid storage cabinet that satisfies FM Approvals Standard 6050 (incorporated by reference, see § 136.112 of this subchapter); or

(3) Another suitable steel container that provides an equivalent level of protection.

(d) A 40-B portable fire extinguisher must be located near the storage room or cabinet. This is in addition to the portable fire extinguishers required by tables 142.230(a) and 142.230(b) of this part.

Each towing vessel 79 feet or more in length operating on oceans and coastwise routes that does not have an installed fixed fire-extinguishing system must have the following:

(a) At least two firefighter's outfits that meet NFPA 1971 (incorporated by reference, see § 136.112 of this subchapter); and

(b) Two self-contained breathing apparatus of the pressure demand, open circuit type, approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), under 42 CFR part 84. The breathing apparatus must have a minimum 30-minute air supply and full facepiece.

Each towing vessel must be equipped with at least one fire axe that is readily accessible for use from the exterior of the vessel.

(a) Towing vessels of 65 feet or less in length must carry at least the minimum number of portable fire extinguishers set forth in table 142.230(a).

(b) Towing vessels of more than 65 feet in length must carry—

(1) At least the minimum number of portable fire extinguishers set forth in table 142.230(b); and

(2) One 40-B portable fire extinguisher fitted in the engine room for each 1,000 brake horsepower of the main engines or fraction thereof. A towing vessel is not required to carry more than six additional 40-B portable fire extinguishers in the engine room for this purpose, regardless of horsepower.

(c) The frame or support of any semi-portable fire extinguisher fitted with wheels must be welded or otherwise permanently attached to a steel bulkhead or deck to prevent it from rolling under heavy sea conditions.

(d) Extinguishers with larger numerical ratings or multiple letter designations may be used if the extinguishers meet the minimum requirements of this section.

(a) Previously installed fire extinguishers with extinguishing capacities smaller than what is required by § 142.230 of this part need not be replaced and may be continued in service so long as they are maintained in good condition to the satisfaction of the OCMI.

(b) All new equipment and installations must meet the applicable requirements in this part for new vessels.

(a) Towing vessels contracted for construction prior to November 19, 1952, must meet the applicable provisions of this part concerning the number and general type of equipment required.

(b) Existing equipment and installations previously approved, but not meeting the applicable requirements for approval by the Commandant, may be continued in service so long as they are in good condition.

(c) All new installations and replacements must meet the requirements of this part.

(a) Inspection and testing. All portable fire extinguishers, semi-portable fire-extinguishing systems, fire-detection systems, and fixed fire-extinguishing systems, including ventilation, machinery shutdowns, and fixed fire-extinguishing system pressure-operated dampers on board the vessel, must be inspected or tested at least once every 12 months, as prescribed in paragraphs (a)(1) through (8) of this section, or more frequently if otherwise required by the TSMS applicable to the vessel.

(1) Portable and semi-portable fire extinguishers must be inspected, maintained, and tested in accordance with the inspection, maintenance procedures, and hydrostatic pressure tests required by Chapters 7 and 8 of NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers (incorporated by reference, see § 136.112 of this subchapter), with the frequency specified by NFPA 10 and as amended here:

(i) Certification or licensing by a state or local jurisdiction as a fire extinguisher servicing agency will be accepted by the Coast Guard as meeting the personnel certification requirements of NFPA 10 for annual maintenance and recharging of extinguishers.

(ii) Monthly inspections required by NFPA 10 may be conducted by the owner, operator, person-in-charge, or a designated member of the crew.

(iii) Non-rechargeable or non-refillable extinguishers must be inspected and maintained in accordance with NFPA 10; however, the annual maintenance need not be conducted by a certified person and can be conducted by the owner, operator, person-in-charge, or a designated member of the crew.

(iv) The owner or managing operator must provide satisfactory evidence of the required servicing to the marine inspector or TPO, as applicable. If any of the equipment or records have not been properly maintained, a qualified servicing facility must perform the required inspections, maintenance procedures, and hydrostatic pressure tests. A tag issued by a qualified servicing organization, and attached to each extinguisher, may be accepted as evidence that the necessary maintenance procedures have been conducted.

(2) Fixed fire-extinguishing systems must be inspected and tested, as required by table 142.240 of this section, in addition to the tests required by §§ 147.60 and 147.65 of subchapter N of this chapter.

(3) Flexible connections and discharge hoses on all semi-portable extinguishers and fixed extinguishing systems must be inspected and tested in accordance with § 147.65 of this chapter.

(4) All cylinders containing compressed gas must be tested and marked in accordance with § 147.60 of this chapter.

(5) All piping, controls, valves, and alarms must be inspected; and the operation of controls, alarms, ventilation shutdowns, and pressure-operated dampers for each fixed fire-extinguishing system and detecting system must be tested, to determine that the system is operating properly.

(6) The fire main system must be charged, and sufficient pressure must be verified at the most remote and highest outlets.

(7) All fire hoses must be inspected for excessive wear, and subjected to a test pressure equivalent to the maximum service pressure. All fire hoses which are defective and incapable of repair must be destroyed.

(8) All smoke- and fire-detection systems, including detectors and alarms, must be tested.

(b) Maintenance. In addition to the requirements in paragraph (a) of this section, all fire-suppression and detection equipment and systems on board a towing vessel must be maintained in accordance with the attached nameplate, manufacturer's approved design manual, or as otherwise provided in any TSMS applicable to the vessel.

(c) Records. (1) The records of inspections and tests of fire-detection systems and fixed fire-extinguishing systems must be recorded in the TVR, official logbook, or in accordance with any TSMS applicable to the vessel. The following minimum information is required:

(i) The dates when inspections and tests were performed, the number and any other identification of each unit inspected and tested, the results of the inspections and tests, and the name of the crewmember, surveyor or auditor and any others conducting the inspections and tests, must be included.

(ii) Receipts and other records generated by these inspections and tests must be retained for at least 1 year and made available upon request.

(2) The records of inspections and tests of portable fire extinguishers and semi-portable fire-extinguishing systems may be recorded in accordance with paragraph (c)(1) of this section, or on a tag attached to each unit by a qualified servicing organization.

(a) Drills and instruction. The master of a towing vessel must ensure that each crewmember participates in fire-fighting drills and receives instruction at least once each month. The instruction may coincide with the drills, but is not required to do so. All crewmembers must be familiar with their fire-fighting duties, and, specifically how to:

(1) Fight a fire in the engine room and elsewhere onboard the towing vessel, including how to:

(i) Operate all of the fire-extinguishing equipment onboard the towing vessel;

(ii) Stop any mechanical ventilation system for the engine room and effectively seal all natural openings to the space to prevent leakage of the extinguishing agent; and

(iii) Operate the fuel shut-off(s) for the engine room.

(2) Activate the general alarm;

(3) Report inoperative alarm systems and fire-detection systems; and

(4) Don a firefighter's outfit and a self-contained breathing apparatus, if the vessel is so equipped.

(b) Alternative form of instruction. Video training, followed by a discussion led by someone familiar with the contingencies listed in paragraph (a) of this section, is an acceptable, alternative form of instruction. This instruction may occur either onboard or off the towing vessel.

(c) Participation in drills. Drills must take place onboard the towing vessel as if there were an actual emergency. They must include:

(1) Participation by all crewmembers;

(2) Breaking out and using, or simulating the use of, emergency equipment;

(3) Testing of all alarm and detection systems by operation of the test switch or by activation of one or more devices;

(4) Putting on protective clothing by at least one person, if the towing vessel is so equipped; and

(5) Functionally testing the self-priming capability of the portable fire pump, if the towing vessel is so equipped.

(d) Safety orientation. The master must ensure that each crewmember who has not participated in the drills required by paragraph (a) of this section and received the instruction required by that paragraph (a) receives a safety orientation within 24 hours of reporting for duty. The safety orientation must cover the particular contingencies listed in paragraph (a) of this section.

Note to § 142.245. See § 140.915 for requirements for keeping records of training.