46 CFR § 27.101 - Definitions.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t46/s27.101"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "46 CFR § 27.101 - Definitions."
title_number: 46
title_name: "Shipping"
section_number: "27.101"
section_name: "Definitions."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "C"
subchapter_name: "UNINSPECTED VESSELS"
part_number: "27"
part_name: "TOWING VESSELS"
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. 3306, 4102 (as amended by Pub. L. 104-324, 110 Stat. 3901); Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1."
regulatory_source: "USCG-2000-6931, 69 FR 34069, June 18, 2004, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "27"
---


# 27.101 Definitions.

As used in this part—

*Accommodation* includes any:

(1) Messroom.

(2) Lounge.

(3) Sitting area.

(4) Recreation room.

(5) Quarters.

(6) Toilet space.

(7) Shower room.

(8) Galley.

(9) Berthing facility.

(10) Clothing-changing room.

*Engine room* means the enclosed area where any main-propulsion engine is located. It comprises all deck levels within that area.

*Fixed fire-extinguishing system* means:

(1) A carbon dioxide system that satisfies 46 CFR 76.15 and the system labeling requirements in 46 CFR 78.47-9 and 78.47-11 and that is approved by the Commandant; or

(2) A clean-agent system that satisfies 46 CFR 95.16 and is approved by the Commandant; or

(3) A manually-operated water-mist system that satisfies NFPA 750 (incorporated by reference; see § 27.102) and that is approved by the Commandant; or

*Fleeting-area* means a separate location where individual barges are moored or assembled to make a tow. The barges are not in transport, but are temporarily marshaled, waiting for pickup by different vessels that will transport them to various destinations. A fleeting-area is a limited geographic area.

*Harbor-assist* means docking and undocking ships.

*Limited geographic area* means a local area of operation, usually within a single harbor or port. The local Captain of the Port (COTP) determines the definition of local geographic area for each zone.

*Operating station* means the principal steering station on the vessel, from which the vessel is normally navigated.

*Towing vessel* means a commercial vessel engaged in, or intending to engage in, pulling, pushing, or hauling alongside, or any combination of pulling, pushing, or hauling alongside.

*Towing vessel in inland service* means a towing vessel that is not in ocean or coastal service.

*Towing vessel in ocean or coastal service* means a towing vessel that operates beyond the baseline of the U.S. territorial sea.

*We* means the United States Coast Guard.

*Work space* means any area on the vessel where the crew could be present while on duty and performing their assigned tasks.

*You* means the owner of a towing vessel, unless otherwise specified.

[USCG-2000-6931, 69 FR 34069, June 18, 2004, as amended by USCG-2006-24797, 77 FR 33872, June 7, 2012; USCG-2013-0671, 78 FR 60145, Sept. 30, 2013]