33 CFR § 157.116 - Required documents: U.S. tank vessels.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t33/s157.116"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "33 CFR § 157.116 - Required documents: U.S. tank vessels."
title_number: 33
title_name: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
section_number: "157.116"
section_name: "Required documents: U.S. tank vessels."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "O"
subchapter_name: "POLLUTION"
part_number: "157"
part_name: "RULES FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT RELATING TO TANK VESSELS CARRYING OIL IN BULK"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "33 U.S.C. 1903; 46 U.S.C. 3703, 3703a (note); Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1. Subparts G, H, and I are also issued under section 4115(b), Pub. L. 101-380, 104 Stat. 520; Pub. L. 104-55, 109 Stat. 546."
regulatory_source: "CGD 74-32, 40 FR 48283, Oct. 14, 1975, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "157"
---


# 157.116 Required documents: U.S. tank vessels.

The owner, operator, and master of a U.S. tank vessel having a COW system under § 157.10(e), § 157.10a(a)(2), or § 157.10c(b)(2) shall ensure that the vessel does not engage in a voyage unless the vessel has on board the following:

(a) The *Crude Oil Washing Operations and Equipment Manual* that—

(1) Is approved under § 157.112; or

(2) Bears a certification by an authorized CS that the manual contains the information required under § 157.138.

(b) Evidence of acceptance of the tank vessel's COW system consisting of—

(1) A document from an authorized CS that certifies the vessel meets § 157.10c(b)(2) and each amending letter by the authorized CS approving changes in the design, equipment, or installation; or

(2) The letter of acceptance under § 157.106 and each amending letter issued under § 157.158(c).

(c) Evidence that the COW system passed the required inspections by—

(1) A document from an authorized CS that the vessel has passed the inspections under § 157.140; or

(2) The letter of acceptance under § 157.142 after passing the inspection under § 157.140.

(Reporting and Recordkeeping requirements approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1625-0036)

[CGD 82-28, 50 FR 11627, 11630, Mar. 22, 1985, as amended by USCG-2006-25150, 71 FR 39210, July 12, 2006]