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Title 46, ShippingRelease 119-102

§8904 Towing Vessels

Title 46 › Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen › Part F — Manning of Vessels › CHAPTER 89 — SMALL VESSEL MANNING › § 8904

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

Towing boats 26 feet long or longer, measured from end to end over the deck and not counting the sheer, must be operated by a person the Secretary licenses for that type of boat and for the area where it works, under rules the Secretary sets. Any boat that tows a disabled boat for pay must also be run by a person the Secretary licenses for that type and area. The Secretary can also set rules on maximum work hours for people on towing boats of that size and require them to record and keep those hours.

Full Legal Text

Title 46, §8904

Shipping, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

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

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised sectionSource section (U.S. Code) 890446:405(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.”

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

46 U.S.C. § 8904

Title 46, Shipping

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102