This part describes the procedures owners or managing operators of towing vessels must use to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of this subchapter.

(a) The owner and managing operator must ensure that the towing vessel is in compliance with this subchapter and other applicable laws and regulations at all times.

(b) Non-conformities and deficiencies must be corrected in a timely manner.

The owner or managing operator of a towing vessel choosing to use the TSMS option must implement an external or internal survey program for vessel compliance. The program for vessel compliance can be either:

(a) An external survey program, in which the owner or managing operator would have a third-party organization (TPO) conduct either the surveys required by § 137.205, the examinations required by § 137.310, or both; or

(b) An internal survey program, in which the owner or managing operator would conduct either the surveys required by § 137.210, the examinations required by § 137.315, or both, using internal resources or contracted surveyors. The internal survey program would be conducted with the oversight of a TPO.

(c) Each program of either type must include:

(1) Owner or managing operator policy regarding the surveying and examination of towing vessels;

(2) Procedures for conducting towing vessel surveys and examinations, as described in this part;

(3) Procedures for reporting and correcting non-conformities and deficiencies;

(4) Identification of the individual or individuals responsible for the management of the program, and their qualifications; and

(5) Documentation of compliance activities.

(a) The TSMS option requires a report detailing each internal survey of a towing vessel. Each report must include:

(1) Vessel name;

(2) Other vessel identifier, such as an official number or State number;

(3) Name and business address of owner or managing operator;

(4) Date and location of the survey;

(5) Date the report of the survey was issued, if different than the date the survey was concluded;

(6) Name of the surveyors;

(7) Name and business address of the TPO the surveyors represent, if applicable;

(8) Signatures of surveyors;

(9) A descriptive list of the items examined or witnessed during each survey;

(10) A descriptive list of all non-conformities identified during each survey, including those that were corrected during the course of the survey;

(11) A descriptive list of:

(i) All non-conformities remaining at the end of each survey;

(ii) The required corrective actions;

(iii) The latest date of required corrective action; and

(iv) A description of the means by which the corrective actions were verified;

(12) A descriptive list of items that need to be repaired or replaced before the vessel continues service; and

(13) A statement that the vessel complies with the applicable requirements of this subchapter and is fit for its route and service, subject to the correction of non-conformities.

(b) The owner or managing operator must provide objective evidence of compliance with this part in accordance with the TSMS applicable to the vessel.