Title 46 — ShippingRelease 119-73not60
§8904 Towing Vessels
Title 46 › Subtitle Subtitle II— Vessels and Seamen › Part F— Manning of Vessels › Chapter 89— SMALL VESSEL MANNING › § 8904
Summary
Anyone who operates a towing vessel 26 feet or longer (measured over the deck, not counting the sheer), or who tows a disabled vessel for pay, must have a license from the Secretary for that vessel type and the area where it works. The Secretary can make rules that set maximum work hours for people on those towing vessels and require that those hours be recorded and kept.
Full Legal Text
Title 46, §8904
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(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
Apr 5, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60