# 46 C.F.R. § 137.205 (2026): External survey program

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P137_S137_205

## Section

- **Citation:** 46 C.F.R. § 137.205 (2026)
- **Heading:** External survey program
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Title 46 CFR: Shipping / Chapter I: COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY / Part 137: VESSEL COMPLIANCE / Subpart B: Inspections and Surveys for Certification / § 137.205: § 137.205   External survey program.

## Text

(a) The owner or managing operator of a towing vessel that has selected the TSMS option and who has chosen to demonstrate compliance through an external survey program must:
(1) Have the vessel surveyed annually by a surveyor from a TPO;
(2) Ensure the survey is conducted in accordance with § 137.215;
(3) Ensure the survey is conducted within 3 months of the anniversary date of the COI;
(4) Ensure the TSMS applicable to the vessel includes policies and procedures for complying with this section; and
(5) Make the applicable sections of the TSMS available to the surveyor.
(b) The TPO must issue a report that meets the requirements in § 137.135.

## Nearby sections

- [46 C.F.R. § 137.200 (2026) § 137.200   Documenting compliance for the Coast Guard inspection option.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P137_S137_200.md)
- [46 C.F.R. § 137.202 (2026) § 137.202   Documenting compliance for the TSMS option.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P137_S137_202.md)
- [46 C.F.R. § 137.205 (2026) § 137.205   External survey program.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P137_S137_205.md)
- [46 C.F.R. § 137.210 (2026) § 137.210   Internal survey program.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P137_S137_210.md)
- [46 C.F.R. § 137.212 (2026) § 137.212   Coast Guard oversight of vessel survey program for vessels under the TSMS option.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P137_S137_212.md)
- [46 C.F.R. § 137.215 (2026) § 137.215   General conduct of survey.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P137_S137_215.md)
- [46 C.F.R. § 137.220 (2026) § 137.220   Scope.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P137_S137_220.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P137_S137_205. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.