46 CFR § 45.185 - Tow limitations.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t46/s45.185"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "46 CFR § 45.185 - Tow limitations."
title_number: 46
title_name: "Shipping"
section_number: "45.185"
section_name: "Tow limitations."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "E"
subchapter_name: "LOAD LINES"
part_number: "45"
part_name: "GREAT LAKES LOAD LINES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "46 U.S.C. 5104, 5108; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1."
regulatory_source: "CGD 73-49R, 38 FR 12290, May 10, 1973, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "45"
---


# 45.185 Tow limitations.

(a) Barges must not be manned.

(b) No more than a total of three barges per tow may operate on the Milwaukee, St. Joseph, and Muskegon routes. A mixed tow of load-lined and exempted barges is still limited to three barges on those routes.

(c) Tows must not be more than 5 nautical miles from shore.

[USCG-1998-4623, 67 FR 19690, Apr. 23, 2002, as amended at 75 FR 70604, Nov. 18, 2010]