# 46 CFR § 27.100: Applicability; preemptive effect

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-27.100

## Section

- **Citation:** 46 CFR § 27.100
- **Heading:** Applicability; preemptive effect
- **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 C—UNINSPECTED VESSELS > PART 27—TOWING VESSELS > Subpart A—General Provisions for Fire-Protection Measures and Fire-Suppression Equipment on Towing Vessels

## Text

(a) You must comply with this part if your towing vessel operates on the navigable waters of the United States, unless your vessel is one exempt under paragraph (b) of this section.
(b) This part does not apply to you if your towing vessel is—
(1) Used solely for any of the following services or any combination of these services—
(i) Within a limited geographic area, such as a fleeting-area for barges or a commercial facility, and used for restricted service, such as making up or breaking up larger tows;
(ii) For harbor-assist;
(iii) For assistance towing as defined by 46 CFR 10.103;
(iv) For response to emergency or pollution;
(2) A public vessel that is both owned, or demise chartered, and operated by the United States Government or by a government of a foreign country; and that is not engaged in commercial service;
(3) A foreign vessel engaged in innocent passage; or
(4) Exempted by the Captain of the Port (COTP).
(c) If you think your towing vessel should be exempt from these requirements for a specified route, you should submit a written request to the appropriate COTP. The COTP will provide you with a written response granting or denying your request. The COTP will consider the extent to which unsafe conditions would result if your vessel lost propulsion because of a fire in the engine room.
(d) You must test and maintain all of the equipment required by this part in accordance with the attached nameplate or manufacturer's approved design manual.
(e) The regulations in this part have preemptive effect over State or local regulations in the same field.
[USCG-2000-6931, 69 FR 34069, June 18, 2004, as amended by USCG-2006-24797, 77 FR 33871, June 7, 2012]

## Nearby sections

- [46 CFR § 27.100 § 27.100 Applicability; preemptive effect.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-27.100.md)
- [46 CFR § 27.101 § 27.101 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-27.101.md)
- [46 CFR § 27.102 § 27.102 Incorporation by reference.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-27.102.md)
- [46 CFR § 27.103 § 27.103 Preemption.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-27.103.md)
- [46 CFR § 27.201 § 27.201 What are the requirements for general alarms on towing vessels?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-27.201.md)
- [46 CFR § 27.203 § 27.203 What are the requirements for fire detection on towing vessels?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-27.203.md)
- [46 CFR § 27.205 § 27.205 What are the requirements for internal communication systems on towing vessels?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-27.205.md)
- [46 CFR § 27.207 § 27.207 What are the requirements for fuel shut-offs on towing vessels?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-27.207.md)
- [46 CFR § 27.209 § 27.209 What are the requirements for training crews to respond to fires?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-27.209.md)
- [46 CFR § 27.211 § 27.211 What are the specifications for fuel systems on towing vessels whose construction was contracted for on or after January 18, 2000?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-27.211.md)
- [46 CFR § 27.301 § 27.301 What are the requirements for fire pumps, fire mains, and fire hoses on towing vessels?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-27.301.md)
- [46 CFR § 27.303 § 27.303 What are the requirements for fire-extinguishing equipment on towing vessels in inland service, and on towing vessels in ocean or coastal service whose construction was contracted for before August 27, 2003?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-27.303.md)
- [46 CFR § 27.305 § 27.305 What are the requirements for fire-extinguishing equipment on towing vessels in ocean or coastal service whose construction was contracted for on or after August 27, 2003?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-27.305.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-46-27.100. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.