# 46 CFR § 137.205: External survey program

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-137.205

## Section

- **Citation:** 46 CFR § 137.205
- **Heading:** External survey program
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** September 22, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 46—Shipping > CHAPTER I—COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY > SUBCHAPTER M—TOWING VESSELS > PART 137—VESSEL COMPLIANCE > Subpart B—Inspections and Surveys for Certification

## 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 CFR § 137.100 § 137.100 Purpose.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-137.100.md)
- [46 CFR § 137.120 § 137.120 Responsibility for compliance.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-137.120.md)
- [46 CFR § 137.130 § 137.130 Program for vessel compliance for the Towing Safety Management System (TSMS) option.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-137.130.md)
- [46 CFR § 137.135 § 137.135 Reports and documentation required for the TSMS option.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-137.135.md)
- [46 CFR § 137.200 § 137.200 Documenting compliance for the Coast Guard inspection option.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-137.200.md)
- [46 CFR § 137.202 § 137.202 Documenting compliance for the TSMS option.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-137.202.md)
- [46 CFR § 137.205 § 137.205 External survey program.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-137.205.md)
- [46 CFR § 137.210 § 137.210 Internal survey program.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-137.210.md)
- [46 CFR § 137.212 § 137.212 Coast Guard oversight of vessel survey program for vessels under the TSMS option.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-137.212.md)
- [46 CFR § 137.215 § 137.215 General conduct of survey.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-137.215.md)
- [46 CFR § 137.220 § 137.220 Scope.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-137.220.md)
- [46 CFR § 137.300 § 137.300 Intervals for drydock and internal structural examinations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-137.300.md)
- [46 CFR § 137.302 § 137.302 Documenting compliance for the Coast Guard inspection option.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-137.302.md)
- [46 CFR § 137.305 § 137.305 Documenting compliance for the TSMS option.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-137.305.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-137.205. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.