(a) This subpart applies to all towing vessels subject to this subchapter.

(b) Except as noted paragraph (c) of this section, which lists later implementation dates for requirements in §§ 143.450 and 143.460, an existing towing vessel must comply with the applicable requirements in this part no later than either July 20, 2018 or the date the vessel obtains a Certificate of Inspection (COI), whichever date is earlier. The delayed implementation provisions in this section do not apply to a new towing vessel.

(c) Existing vessels must meet the pilothouse alerter and towing machinery requirements of §§ 143.450 and 143.460 no later than 5 years after the issuance of the first COI for the vessel.

(a) Machinery and electrical systems must be designed and maintained to provide for safe operation of the towing vessel and safety of persons onboard under normal and emergency conditions.

(b) The crew of each towing vessel must demonstrate the ability to operate the primary and auxiliary machinery and electrical systems for which they are responsible, and to do so under normal and emergency conditions. This includes, but is not limited to, responses to alarms and restoration of propulsion and steering in the event of failure.

(c) Propulsion machinery, including main engines, reduction gears, shafting, bearings, and electrical equipment and systems, must:

(1) Be maintained to ensure proper operation;

(2) Be suitable for route and service; and

(3) Have suitable propulsion controls to provide the operator full control at each operating station.

(d) Repairs and minor alterations to existing towing vessels must be made in accordance with this part. New installations that are not replacements in kind must comply with the requirements of subpart C of this part, if applicable.

(a) Machinery or electrical systems of a novel design, unusual form, or special material that cannot be reviewed or approved in accordance with this part, may be approved by the Commanding Officer, Marine Safety Center. It must be shown by systematic analysis, based on engineering principles, that the machinery or electrical equipment or system provides an equivalent level of safety. The owner or managing operator must submit detailed plans, material component specifications, and design criteria, including the expected towing vessel service and operating environment, to the Marine Safety Center. Examples of novel design include use of liquefied natural gas, compressed natural gas, or propane fuel for propulsion, and hybrid, fuel cell, or battery propulsion.

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

(a) An existing towing vessel classed by a recognized classification society, as appropriate for the intended service and routes, is considered in compliance with the machinery and electrical standards of this subpart.

(b) An existing vessel built and equipped to conform to a recognized classification society's rules, appropriate for the intended service and routes, but not currently classed, may be deemed by the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI), or third-party organization (TPO), to be in compliance with this part, provided that the towing vessel conforms to the class rules.

(c) Existing vessels meeting either paragraph (a) or (b) of this section must also meet the requirements of §§ 143.245 and 143.450.

(a) All seals and gaskets must be properly maintained to prevent leaks of flammable or combustible liquid, as those terms are defined in 46 CFR subpart 30.10, into the machinery space.

(b) Piping and machinery components that exceed 220 °C (428 °F), including fittings, flanges, valves, exhaust manifolds, and turbochargers, must be insulated. Measures must be in place to prevent flammable or combustible liquid piping leaks from coming into contact with these components.

(c) Flammable and combustible products must not be stored in machinery spaces, unless they are stored in a suitable container that meets the requirements of § 142.225 of this subchapter.

(a) Each towing vessel must have a means to monitor and control the amount of thrust, rudder angle, and (if applicable) direction of thrust, at each operating station.

(b) Each towing vessel equipped with rudder(s) must have a means to monitor and control the position of the rudder(s) at each operating station.

(a) Each towing vessel must have a reliable means to provide notification when an emergency condition exists or an essential system develops problems that require attention. The following alarms must be provided:

(1) Main engine low lubricating oil pressure;

(2) Main engine high cooling water temperature;

(3) Auxiliary generator engine low lubricating oil pressure;

(4) Auxiliary generator engine high cooling water temperature;

(5) High bilge levels;

(6) Low hydraulic steering fluid levels, if applicable; and

(7) Low fuel level, if fitted with a day tank.

(b) Alarms must:

(1) Be visible and audible at each operating station. The alarm located at the operating station may be a summary alarm; if the alarm at the operating station is a summary alarm, the specific alarm condition must be indicated at the machinery or bilge location;

(2) Have a means to test actuation at each operating station or have a continuous self-monitoring alarm system which actuates if an alarm point fails or becomes disabled;

(3) Continue until they are acknowledged; and

(4) Not interfere with night vision at the operating station.

(c) The following systems must be equipped with gauges at the machinery location:

(1) Main engine lubricating oil pressure and main engine RPM;

(2) Main engine cooling water temperature;

(3) Auxiliary generator engine lubricating oil pressure and auxiliary generator engine RPM;

(4) Auxiliary generator engine cooling water temperature; and

(5) Hydraulic steering fluid pressure, if the vessel is equipped with hydraulic steering systems.

(a) This section does not apply to an excepted vessel as defined in § 136.110 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) of this section if the system meets the requirements of paragrahs (b)(2) and (3) of this section.

(a) This section does not apply to an excepted towing vessel as defined in § 136.110 of this subchapter.

(b) Each towing vessel must be fitted with a communication system between the pilothouse and the engine room that:

(1) Consists of either fixed or portable equipment, such as a sound-powered telephone, portable radios, or other reliable method of voice communication, with a main or reserve power supply that is independent of the towing vessel's electrical system; and

(2) Provides two-way voice communication and calling between the pilothouse and either the engine room or a location immediately adjacent to an exit from the engine room.

(c) Towing vessels with more than one propulsion unit and independent pilothouse control for all engines are not required to have internal communication systems.

(d) When the pilothouse engine controls and the access to the engine room are within 3 meters (10 feet) of each other and allow unobstructed visible contact between them, direct voice communication is acceptable instead of a communication system.

(a) Essential systems or equipment must be regularly tested and examined. Tests and examinations must verify that the system or equipment functions as designed. If a component is found unsatisfactory, it must be repaired or replaced. Test and examination procedures must be in accordance with manufacturer's instructions or the Towing Safety Management System (TSMS) applicable to the vessel, if the vessel has a TSMS.

(b) Each towing vessel must perform the applicable tests in Table 143.245(b) of this section. The tests required by this section must be recorded in accordance with part 140 of this subchapter.

Electrical equipment, piping for flammable or combustible liquid, seawater cooling, or fire-fighting systems must be provided with isolation devices and markings as follows:

(a) Electrical equipment must be provided with circuit isolation and must be marked as described in § 143.400.

(b) Electrical panels or other enclosures containing more than one source of power must be fitted with a sign warning persons of this condition and identifying where to secure all sources.

(c) Piping for flammable or combustible liquid, seawater cooling, or firefighting systems must be fitted with isolation valves that are clearly marked by labeling or color coding that enables the crew to identify its function.

(d) Any piping system that penetrates the hull below the waterline must be fitted with an accessible valve, located as close to the hull penetration as is practicable, for preventing the accidental admission of water into the vessel either through such pipes or in the event of a fracture of such pipe. The valve must be clearly marked by labeling or color coding that enables the crew to identify its function.

(e) Color coding required by this section may be met by complying with coding standards contained in the ISO 14726:2008(E) (incorporated by reference, see § 136.112 of this subchapter), or in accordance with the TSMS applicable to the vessel.

(a) Fuel systems for towing vessel main engines and generators must have a documented maintenance plan to ensure proper operation of the system.

(b) A continuous supply of clean fuel must be provided to main propulsion engines and generators.

(c) The fuel system must include filters and/or purifiers. Where filters are used:

(1) A supply of spare fuel filters must be provided onboard; and

(2) Fuel filters must be replaced in accordance with manufacturer's requirements or the vessel's TSMS, if applicable.

(d) Except as otherwise permitted under § 143.210 or § 143.520, no fuel other than diesel fuel may be used.

(a) This section does not apply to an excepted towing vessel as defined in § 136.110 of this subchapter.

(b) To stop the flow of fuel in the event of a fire or break in the fuel line, a remote fuel shutoff valve must be fitted on any fuel line that supplies fuel directly to a propulsion engine or generator prime mover.

(c) The valve must be installed in the fuel piping directly outside of the fuel oil supply tank.

(d) The valve must be operable from a safe place outside the space where the valve is installed.

(e) Each remote valve control must be marked in clearly legible letters, at least 25 millimeters (1 inch) high, indicating the purpose of the valve and the way to operate it.

(a) Applicability. This section applies to towing vessels that are not excepted vessels, as defined in § 136.110 of this subchapter, and that were built after January 18, 2000. Except for outboard engines or portable bilge or fire pumps, each fuel system must comply with this section.

(b) Portable fuel systems. The vessel must not incorporate or carry portable fuel systems, including portable tanks and related fuel lines and accessories, except when used for outboard engines or portable bilge or fire pumps. The design, construction, and stowage of portable tanks and related fuel lines and accessories must comply with the ABYC H-25 (incorporated by reference, see § 136.112 of this subchapter).

(c) Vent pipes for integral fuel tanks. Each integral fuel tank must have a vent that connects to the highest point of the tank, discharges on a weather deck through a bend of 180 degrees, and is fitted with a 30-by-30-mesh corrosion-resistant flame screen. Vents from two or more fuel tanks may combine in a system that discharges on a weather deck. The net cross-sectional area of the vent pipe for the tank must be not less than 312.3 square millimeters (0.484 square inches), for any tank filled by gravity. The cross-sectional area of the vent pipe, or the sum of the vent areas when multiple vents are used, must not be less than that of the fill pipe cross-sectional area for any tank filled by pump pressure.

(d) Fuel piping. Except as permitted in paragraphs (d)(1) through (3) of this section, each fuel line must be seamless and made of steel, annealed copper, nickel-copper, or copper-nickel. Each fuel line must have a wall thickness no less than 0.9 millimeters (0.035 inches) except for the following:

(1) Aluminum piping is acceptable on an aluminum-hull towing vessel if it is at least Schedule 80 in thickness.

(2) Nonmetallic flexible hose is acceptable if it:

(i) Is used in lengths of not more than 0.76 meters (30 inches);

(ii) Is visible and easily accessible;

(iii) Does not penetrate a watertight bulkhead;

(iv) Is fabricated with an inner tube and a cover of synthetic rubber or other suitable material reinforced with wire braid; and

(v) Either:

(A) If designed for use with compression fittings, is fitted with suitable, corrosion-resistant, compression fittings, or fittings compliant with the SAE J1475 Revised JUN96 (incorporated by reference, see § 136.112 of this subchapter); or

(B) If designed for use with clamps, is installed with two clamps at each end of the hose. Clamps must not rely on spring tension and must be installed beyond the bead or flare or over the serrations of the mating spud, pipe, or hose fitting.

(3) Nonmetallic flexible hose complying with SAE J1942 Revised APR2007 (incorporated by reference, see § 136.112 of this subchapter), is also acceptable.

(e) Alternative standards. A towing vessel of less than 79 feet in length may comply with any of the following standards for fuel systems instead of those of paragraph (d) in this section:

(1) ABYC H-33 (incorporated by reference, see § 136.112 of this subchapter);

(2) Chapter 5 of NFPA 302 (incorporated by reference, see § 136.112 of this subchapter); or

(3) 33 CFR chapter I, subchapter S (Boating Safety).

Piping and tanks exposed to the outside of the hull must be made of metal and maintained in a leak free condition.

There must be an installed or portable bilge pump for emergency dewatering. Any portable pump must have sufficient hose length and pumping capability. All installed bilge piping must have a check/foot valve in each bilge suction that prevents unintended backflooding through bilge piping.

(a) Pressure vessels over 5 cubic feet in volume and over 15 pounds per square inch maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) must be equipped with an indicating pressure gauge (in a readily visible location) and with one or more spring-loaded relief valves. The total relieving capacity of such relief valves must prevent pressure from exceeding the MAWP, as established by the manufacturer, by more than 10 percent.

(b) Pressure vessels must be externally examined annually. Relief valves must be tested in accordance with § 143.245.

(c) All pressure vessels must have the MAWP indicated by a stamp, nameplate, or other means visible to the crew.

(d) Pressure vessels installed after July 20, 2018, or the date the vessel obtains a Certificate of Inspection (COI), whichever date is earlier, must meet the requirements of § 143.545.

(a) Electrical systems and equipment must function properly and minimize system failures and fire and shock hazards.

(b) Installed electrical power source(s) must be capable of carrying the electrical load of the towing vessel under normal operating conditions.

(c) Electrical equipment must be marked with its respective current and voltage ratings.

(d) Individual circuit breakers on switchboards and distribution panels must be labeled with a description of the loads they serve.

(e) Electrical connections must be suitably installed to prevent them from coming loose through vibration or accidental contact.

(f) Electrical equipment and electrical cables must be suitably protected from wet and corrosive environments.

(g) Electrical components that pose an electrical hazard must be in an enclosure.

(h) Electrical conductors passing though watertight bulkheads must be installed so that the bulkhead remains watertight.

(i) The connections of flexible cable plugs and socket outlets must be designed to prevent unintended separation.

(a) Sufficient lighting suitable for the marine environment must be provided within crew working and living areas.

(b) Emergency lighting must be provided for all internal crew working and living areas. Emergency lighting sources must provide for sufficient illumination under emergency conditions to facilitate egress from each space and must be either:

(1) Automatic, battery-operated with a duration of no less than 2 hours; or

(2) Non-electric, phosphorescent adhesive lighting strips that are installed along escape routes and sufficiently visible to enable egress with no power.

(c) Each towing vessel must be equipped with at least two portable, battery-powered lights. One must be located in the pilothouse and the other at the access to the engine room.

(a) Towing vessels more than 65 feet in length must use navigation lights that meet UL 1104 (incorporated by reference, see § 136.112 of this subchapter) or other standards accepted by the Coast Guard.

(b) Towing vessels 65 feet or less in length may meet the requirements listed in 33 CFR 183.810 or paragraph (a) of this section.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (d) or (e) of this section, a towing vessel with overnight accommodations and alternating watches (shift work), when pulling, pushing or hauling alongside one or more barges, must have a system to detect when its master or mate (pilot) becomes incapacitated. The system must:

(1) Have an alarm in the pilothouse distinct from any other alarm;

(2) Require action from the master or officer in charge of a navigational watch, during an interval not to exceed 10 minutes, in order to reset the alarm timer; and

(3) Immediately (within 30 seconds) notify another crewmember if the pilothouse alarm is not acknowledged.

(b) The time interval for the system alarm must be adjustable. The time may be adjusted by the owner or managing operator but must not be in excess of 10 minutes. This time interval, and information on alerter operation, must be provided on board and specified in the vessel's TSMS if applicable.

(c) The system alarm may be reset physically (e.g. a push button), or the reset may be accomplished by a link to other pilothouse action such as rudder or throttle control movement, or motion detection of personnel.

(d) A towing vessel need not comply with this section if a second person is provided in the pilothouse.

(e) Towing vessels 65 feet or less in length are not required to have a pilothouse alerter system.

(a) Towing machinery such as capstans, winches, and other mechanical devices used to connect the towing vessel to the tow must be designed and installed to maximize control of the tow.

(b) Towing machinery for towing astern must have sufficient safeguards, e.g., towing bitt with crossbar, to prevent the machinery from becoming disabled in the event the tow becomes out of line.

(c) Towing machinery used to connect the towing vessel to the tow must be suitable for its intended service. It must be capable of withstanding exposure to the marine environment, likely mechanical damage, static and dynamic loads expected during intended service, the towing vessel's horsepower, and arrangement of the tow.

(d) When a winch that has the potential for uncontrolled release under tension is used, a warning must be in place at the winch controls that indicates this. When safeguards designed to prevent uncontrolled release are utilized, they must not be disabled.

(e) Each owner or managing operator must develop procedures to routinely examine, maintain, and replace capstans, winches, and other machinery used to connect the towing vessel to the tow.