46 CFR § 137.205 - External survey program.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t46/s137.205"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "46 CFR § 137.205 - External survey program."
title_number: 46
title_name: "Shipping"
section_number: "137.205"
section_name: "External survey program."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "M"
subchapter_name: "TOWING VESSELS"
part_number: "137"
part_name: "VESSEL COMPLIANCE"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "46 U.S.C. 3103, 3301, 3306, 3308, 3316, 8104, 8904; 33 CFR 1.05; DHS Delegation 0170.1."
regulatory_source: "81 FR 40101, June 20, 2016, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "137"
---


# 137.205 External survey program.

(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.