The owner or managing operator of a towing vessel that chooses the TSMS option for a towing vessel must document compliance with this subpart as follows:

(a) Prior to obtaining the vessel's initial COI, the owner or managing operator must provide a report to the Coast Guard of a survey as described in § 137.215 that demonstrates that the vessel complies the requirements of this part.

(b) For the re-issuance of the vessel's COI, the owner or managing operator must:

(1) Provide objective evidence of an external survey program as described in § 137.205; or

(2) Provide objective evidence of an internal survey program as described in § 137.210.