{"data":{"id":"us/46-cfr-27.205","jurisdiction":"us","citation":"46 CFR 27.205","heading":"What are the requirements for internal communication systems on towing vessels?","body":"(a) You must ensure that your vessel is fitted with a communication system between the engine room and the operating station that—\n(1) Consists of either fixed or portable equipment, such as a sound-powered telephone, portable radios, or other reliable method of voice communication, with a main or reserve power supply that is independent of the electrical system on your towing vessel; and\n(2) Provides two-way voice communication and calling between the operating station and either—\n(i) The engine room; or\n(ii) A location immediately adjacent to an exit from the engine room.\n(b) Twin-screw vessels with operating-station control for both engines are not required to have internal communication systems.\n(c) When the operating-station's engine controls and the access to the engine room are within 3 meters (10 feet) of each other and allow unobstructed visual contact between them, direct voice communication is acceptable instead of a communication system.","path":["Title 46—Shipping","CHAPTER I—COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY","SUBCHAPTER C—UNINSPECTED VESSELS","PART 27—TOWING VESSELS","Subpart B—Fire-Protection Measures for Towing Vessels"],"source_url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/api/versioner/v1/full/2026-08-25/title-46.xml","current_through":"2026-08-25","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T02:26:22Z","sha256":"ce2a97728f15955d21b79885dfb279ae5f87b795bc94e7e9631e5539dccaed91","source_id":"us-cfr","stale":true,"prev":"us/46-cfr-27.203","next":"us/46-cfr-27.207"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}