# 46 CFR § 137.210: Internal survey program

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-137.210

## Section

- **Citation:** 46 CFR § 137.210
- **Heading:** Internal 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 vessel compliance through an internal survey program must ensure that the TSMS applicable to the vessel includes:
(1) Procedures for surveying and testing described in § 137.215;
(2) Equipment, systems, and onboard procedures to be surveyed;
(3) Identification of items that would need repair or replacement before the vessel could continue in service, such as deficiencies identified on Form CG-835, “Notice of Merchant Marine Inspection Requirements,” noted survey deficiencies, non-conformities, or other corrective action reports;
(4) Procedures for documenting and reporting non-conformities and deficiencies;
(5) Procedures for reporting and correcting major non-conformities;
(6) The responsible person or persons in management who have the authority to:
(i) Stop all vessel operations pending the correction of non-conformities and deficiencies;
(ii) Oversee vessel compliance activities; and
(iii) Track and verify that non-conformities and deficiencies were corrected;
(7) Procedures for recordkeeping; and
(8) Procedures for assigning personnel with requisite experience and expertise to carry out the elements of the survey.
(b) The owner or managing operator is not required to survey the items as described in § 137.220 as one event, but may survey items on a schedule over time, provided that the interval between successive surveys of any item does not exceed 1 year, unless otherwise prescribed.

## 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-46-137.210. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.