520. You are in charge of a 225-gross ton tug preparing to depart from Houston, Texas, with a loaded 2500-gross ton tank barge bound for New York. Prior to departure, regulations require you to take which action?

Regulations require recording the barge's load line and draft readings before departure because the 2500-gross ton tank barge is a load-line vessel on a coastwise voyage, ensuring it is not overloaded and complies with U.S. load line regulations.