Rule2025-20567
Security Zones; Old Port Tampa, Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Manbirtee Key, Seaport Manatee, MacDill Air Force Base, Port of Tampa, Port Sutton, St. Petersburg Harbor, Crystal River, Big Bend, and Weedon Island, FL
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
November 21, 2025
Effective
December 22, 2025
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard is establishing a permanent security zone in the vicinity of Seaport Manatee facilities and ship berths. This action is necessary to enhance safety and protect vessels, facilities and infrastructure from potential threats. This regulation will allow for controlled access of authorized vessels and facility personnel within the security zone.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 223 (Friday, November 21, 2025)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 223 (Friday, November 21, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52562-52565]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-20567]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[Docket Number USCG-2025-0223]
RIN 1625-AA87
Security Zones; Old Port Tampa, Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Manbirtee
Key, Seaport Manatee, MacDill Air Force Base, Port of Tampa, Port
Sutton, St. Petersburg Harbor, Crystal River, Big Bend, and Weedon
Island, FL
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a permanent security zone in
the vicinity of Seaport Manatee facilities and ship berths. This action
is necessary to enhance safety and protect vessels, facilities and
infrastructure from potential threats. This regulation will allow for
controlled access of authorized vessels and facility personnel within
the security zone.
DATES: This rule is effective December 22, 2025.
ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being
available in the docket, go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, type USCG-
2025-0223 in the search box and click ``Search.'' Next, in the Document
Type column, select ``Supporting & Related Material.''
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this rule,
call or email Lieutenant Ryan McNaughton, Sector St. Petersburg, Ports
& Waterways Branch Chief, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone (571) 608-7131,
email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b3e1cad2dd9df29dfed0fdd2c6d4dbc7dcddf3c6c0d0d49ddedadf"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4a18332b24640b640729042b3f2d223e25240a3f39292d64272326">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Table of Abbreviations
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
Sec. Section
U.S.C. United States Code
II. Background Information and Regulatory History
In February 2024, Seaport Manatee requested the establishment of a
Coast Guard security zone in vicinity of Seaport Manatee facilities and
ship berths to bolster protection of the port. In response, on August
4, 2025, the Coast Guard published a notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM) titled Security Zones; Tampa Bay: Big Bend,
[[Page 52563]]
Boca Grande, Crystal River, East Bay, Hillsborough Bay, MacDill Air
Force Base, Manbirtee Key, Old Port Tampa, Port Manatee, Port Tampa,
Port St. Petersburg, Port Sutton and Weedon Island, FL (90 FR 36412).
There we stated why we issued the NPRM and invited comments on our
proposed regulatory action related to this security zone.
Under the authority in 46 U.S.C. 70051 and 70124, the COTP has
determined that this rule is necessary to enhance safety and protect
vessels, facilities, and infrastructure from potential threats. No
vessel or person will be permitted to enter the security zone without
obtaining permission from the COTP or their designated representative.
III. Discussion of Comments and the Rule
During the comment period that ended on September 3, 2025, we
received one comment. The commenter recommended against establishing a
security zone, based on concerns about using taxpayer money for this
purpose. We decline to adopt this recommendation. We have determined
that the security zone is necessary to protect the infrastructure of
Seaport Manatee.
We also made the following technical changes to the final rule. We
moved the new Seaport Manatee security zone from paragraph (a)(1)(xii)
to paragraph (a)(1)(iv) of 33 CFR 165.703, and renumbered the remaining
security zones in paragraph (a) accordingly. We moved the security zone
to paragraph (a)(1)(iv) because the Seaport Manatee security zone is
geographically close to the Manbirtee Key security zone in paragraph
(a)(1)(iii), and we believe this will make the security zones easier to
locate within the regulation. We also revised the title of Sec.
165.703 to match the order the security zone locations are listed in
paragraph (a).
This rule establishes a permanent security zone in the vicinity of
Seaport Manatee facilities and ship berths to bolster protection of the
port. Entry into this security zone is prohibited unless specifically
authorized by COTP or their designated representative. A designated
representative is a commissioned, warrant, or petty officer of the U.S.
Coast Guard assigned to units under the operational control of the U.S.
Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg. The regulatory text appears at the
end of this document.
IV. Regulatory Analyses
We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and
Executive orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our analyses
based on a number of these statutes and Executive orders.
A. Impact on Small Entities
The Coast Guard certifies that, although some small entities may
intend to transit the security zone above, this rule will not have a
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities,
as mandated by the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, 5 U.S.C. 601-612
for the following reasons. Vessel traffic will be able to safely
transit around this security zone. This security zone will only impact
a small designated area, and the rule allows vessels to request
permission to enter the zone from the COTP.
Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), if this rule will affect your
small business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you have
questions, contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section.
Small businesses may send comments to the Small Business and
Agriculture Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman and the Regional Small
Business Regulatory Fairness Boards by calling 1-888-REG-FAIR (1-888-
734-3247).
B. Collection of Information
This rule will not call for a new collection of information under
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).
C. Federalism and Indian Tribal Governments
We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13132, Federalism,
and have determined that it is consistent with the fundamental
federalism principles and preemption requirements described in that
Order.
Also, this rule does not have tribal implications under Executive
Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal
Governments, because it does not have a substantial direct effect on
one or more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal
Government and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian tribes.
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
As required by The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C.
1531-1538), the Coast Guard certifies that this rule will not result in
an annual expenditure of $100,000,000 or more (adjusted for inflation)
by a State, local, or tribal government, in the aggregate, or by the
private sector.
E. Environment
We have analyzed this rule under Department of Homeland Security
Directive 023-01, Rev. 1, associated implementing instructions, and
Environmental Planning COMDTINST 5090.1 (series), which guide the Coast
Guard in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and have determined that this action is one of
a category of actions that do not individually or cumulatively have a
significant effect on the human environment.
This rule involves a security zone that will prohibit entry within
a very small area alongside piers at Seaport Manatee. It is
categorically excluded from further review under paragraph L60(a) of
Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev. 1. A
Record of Environmental Consideration supporting this determination is
available in the docket.
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165
Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Security measures, Waterways.
For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends
33 CFR part 165 as follows:
PART 165--REGULATED NAVIGATION AREAS AND LIMITED ACCESS AREAS
0
1. The authority citation for part 165 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 46 U.S.C. 70034, 70051, 70124; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-
1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No.
00170.1, Revision No. 01.4.
0
2. Revise Sec. 165.703 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.703 Security Zones; Old Port Tampa, Sunshine Skyway Bridge,
Manbirtee Key, Seaport Manatee, MacDill Air Force Base, Port of Tampa,
Port Sutton, St. Petersburg Harbor, Crystal River, Big Bend, and Weedon
Island, FL.
(a) Regulated areas. The following areas, denoted by coordinates
fixed using the North American Datum of 1983 (World Geodetic System
1984) are security zones:
(1) Security zones for facilities and structures--(i) Old Port
Tampa, Tampa, FL. All waters, from surface to bottom, in Old Tampa Bay
encompassed within the following points: 27[deg]51.62' N,
082[deg]33.14' W; thence to 27[deg]51.71' N, 082[deg]32.5' W; thence to
27[deg]51.76' N, 082[deg]32.5' W; thence to 27[deg]51.73' N,
082[deg]33.16' W; thence to 27[deg]51.62' N,
[[Page 52564]]
082[deg]33.14' W, closing off the Old Port Tampa Channel.
(ii) Sunshine Skyway Bridge, FL. All waters in Tampa Bay, from
surface to bottom, in Cut ``A'' channel beneath the bridge's main span
encompassed within the following points: 27[deg]37.30' N,
082[deg]39.38' W; 27[deg]37.13' N, 082[deg]39.26' W; and the bridge
structure columns, base and dolphins. This zone is specific to the
bridge structure and dolphins and does not include waters adjacent to
the bridge columns or dolphins outside of the bridge's main span. Any
vessel may transit through this zone, but may not loiter, anchor, or
conduct operations, including dredging, dive operation, surveying, or
maintenance, unless otherwise directed by the Captain of the Port.
Anyone wanting to conduct these operations must submit a request via
email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a2f5f5eff6c3cfd2c3e2d7d1c1c58ccfcbce"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7621213b22171b06173603051511581b1f1a">[email protected]</span></a> or contact the Sector Command Center after
hours at 727.824.7506.
(iii) Manbirtee Key, Port of Manatee, FL. All waters, from surface
to bottom, surrounding Manbirtee Key, Tampa Bay, FL extending 500 yards
from the island's shoreline, in all directions, not to include the Port
Manatee Channel.
(iv) Seaport Manatee, Manatee County, FL. All waters, from surface
to bottom, extending 50 yards from the shore, seawall, and piers around
facilities in Seaport Manatee encompassed by a line connecting the
following points: 27[deg]37.60' N, 082[deg]33.77' W; thence to
27[deg]37.60' N, 082[deg]33.80' W; thence to 27[deg]38.33' N,
082[deg]33.79' W; thence to 27[deg]38.32' N, 082[deg]33.52' W.
(v) MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa Bay, FL. All waters encompassed
within the following coordinates: 27[deg]51.88' N, 082[deg]29.31' W;
thence to 27[deg]52.01' N, 082[deg]28.85' W; thence to 27[deg]51.48' N,
082[deg]28.17' W; thence to 27[deg]51.02' N, 082[deg]27.76' W; thence
to 27[deg]50.72' N, 082[deg]27.61' W; thence to 27[deg]50.33' N,
082[deg]27.59' W; thence to 27[deg]49.65' N, 082[deg]27.73' W; thence
to 27[deg]49.34' N, 082[deg]27.79' W; thence to 27[deg]49.10' N,
082[deg]27.88' W; thence to 27[deg]48.88' N, 082[deg]28.10' W; thence
to 27[deg]48.76' N, 082[deg]28.54' W; thence to 27[deg]48.87' N,
082[deg]29.44' W; thence to 27[deg]49.06' N, 082[deg]30.39' W; thence
to 27[deg]48.75' N, 082[deg]31.17' W; thence to 27[deg]49.16' N,
082[deg]32.41' W; thence to 27[deg]49.64' N, 082[deg]33.04' W; thence
to 27[deg]49.95' N, 082[deg]32.75' W; thence to 27[deg]50.09' N,
082[deg]32.81' W; thence to 27[deg]50.56' N, 082[deg]32.75' W; thence
to 27[deg]50.71' N, 082[deg]32.18' W.
(vi) Piers, seawalls, and facilities, Port of Tampa and Port
Sutton, Tampa, FL. All waters, from surface to bottom, extending 50
yards from the shore, seawall, and piers around facilities in Port
Sutton within the Port of Tampa encompassed by a line connecting the
following points: 27[deg]54.15' N, 082[deg]26.06' W; thence to;
27[deg]54.46' N, 082[deg]25.71' W; closing off all Port Sutton Channel.
(vii) Piers, seawalls, and facilities, Port of Tampa, on the
western side of Hooker's Point, Tampa, FL. All waters, from surface to
bottom, extending 50 yards from the shore, seawall, and piers around
facilities on Hillsborough Bay northern portion of Cut ``D'' Channel,
Sparkman Channel, Ybor Turning Basin, and Ybor Channel within the Port
of Tampa encompassed by a line connecting the following points:
27[deg]54.74' N, 082[deg]26.47' W; thence to 27[deg]55.25' N,
082[deg]26.73' W; thence to 27[deg]55.60' N, 082[deg]26.80' W; thence
to 27[deg]56.00' N, 082[deg]26.75' W; thence to 27[deg]56.58' N,
082[deg]26.53' W; thence to 27[deg]57.29' N, 082[deg]26.51' W; thence
to 27[deg]57.29' N, 082[deg]26.61' W; thence to 27[deg]56.65' N,
082[deg]26.63' W; thence to 27[deg]56.58' N, 082[deg]26.69' W; thence
to 27[deg]56.53' N, 082[deg]26.90' W.
(viii) St. Petersburg Harbor, FL. All waters, from surface to
bottom, extending 50 yards from the seawall and around all moorings and
vessels in St. Petersburg Harbor (Bayboro Harbor), commencing on the
north side of the channel at day beacon ``10'' (LLNR 24995) in
approximate position 27[deg]45.56' N, 082[deg]37.55' W, and westward
along the seawall to the end of the cruise terminal in approximate
position 27[deg]45.72' N, 082[deg]37.97' W. The zone will also include
the Coast Guard south moorings in St. Petersburg Harbor. The zone will
extend 50 yards around the piers commencing from approximate position
27[deg]45.51' N, 082[deg]37.99' W; to 27[deg]45.52' N, 082[deg]37.57'
W. The southern boundary of the zone is shoreward of a line between the
entrance to Salt Creek easterly towards day beacon ``11'' (LLNR 24990).
(ix) Crystal River Nuclear Power Plant. All waters, from surface to
bottom, around the FL, Power Crystal River Nuclear Power Plant located
at the end of the Florida Power Corporation Channel, Crystal River,
Florida, encompassed by a line connecting the following points:
28[deg]56.87' N, 082[deg]45.17' W; thence to 28[deg]57.37' N,
082[deg]41.92' W; thence to 28[deg]56.79' N, 082[deg]45.13' W; thence
to 28[deg]57.32' N, 082[deg]41.92' W.
(x) Crystal River Demory Gap Channel. All waters, from surface to
bottom, in the Demory Gap Channel in Crystal River, Florida,
encompassed by the following points: 28[deg]57.61' N, 082[deg]43.42' W
thence to; 28[deg]57.55' N, 082[deg]41.88' W thence to; 28[deg]57.58'
N, 082[deg]43.42' W thence to; 28[deg]57.51' N, 082[deg]41.88' W.
(xi) Big Bend Power Plant, FL. All waters of Tampa Bay, from
surface to bottom, adjacent to the Big Bend Power Facility, and within
an area bounded by the following points: 27[deg]48.08' N,
082[deg]24.88' W; thence to 27[deg]48.15' N, 082[deg]24.96' W; thence
to; 27[deg]48.10' N, 082[deg]25.00' W; thence to 27[deg]47.85' N,
082[deg]25.03' W; thence to 27[deg]47.58' N, 082[deg]24.89' W; thence
to 27[deg]47.58' N, 082[deg]24.06' W; thence to; 27[deg]47.62' N,
082[deg]24.04' W; thence to 27[deg]47.63' N, 082[deg]24.71' W; thence
to 27[deg]48.03' N, 082[deg]24.70' W; thence to 27[deg]48.08' N,
082[deg]24.88' W, closing off entrance to Big Bend Power Facility and
the attached cooling canal.
(xii) Weedon Island Power Plant, FL. All waters of Tampa Bay, from
surface to bottom, extending 50 yards from the shore, seawall and piers
around the Power Facility at Weedon Island encompassed by the following
points: 27[deg]51.52' N, 082[deg]35.82' W; thence along the shore to;
27[deg]51.54' N, 082[deg]35.78' W; thence to 27[deg]51.89' N,
082[deg]35.82' W; thence to 27[deg]51.89' N, 082[deg]36.14' W, closing
off the entrance to both canals.
(2) Vessel specific security zones. (i) Moving security zones for
Cruise Ships and vessels carrying Especially Hazardous Cargos. The
following security zones and procedures are established for all waters,
from surface to bottom, within a 500-yard radius, as outlined below:
(A) For inbound vessels commencing at Egmont Channel Lighted Buoys
``9'' (LLNR 22270) and ``10'' (LLNR 22275) through to berth.
(B) For shifting vessels from their departure berth to destination
berth.
(C) For outbound vessels commencing at berth through to Egmont
Channel Lighted Buoys ``9'' (LLNR 22270) and ``10'' (LLNR 22275).
(D) All subject vessels operating in the Captain of the Port St.
Petersburg Zone shall follow the reporting requirements in 33 CFR part
160, subpart C.
(E) Any vessel desiring to enter or transit the security zone shall
obtain permission from the Captain of the Port St. Petersburg or a
designated representative. If permission is granted, all persons and
vessels must comply with any given instructions.
(ii) Fixed security zones for moored cruise ships and moored
vessels carrying especially hazardous cargos. A security zone is
established for all waters, from surface to bottom, within a 200-yard
radius around moored cruise ships and moored vessels carrying
especially hazardous cargos, as outlined below:
[[Page 52565]]
(A) All subject vessels operating in the Captain of the Port St.
Petersburg Zone shall follow reporting requirements in 33 CFR part 160,
subpart C.
(B) Any vessel desiring to enter or transit the security zone shall
obtain permission from the Captain of the Port St. Petersburg or a
designated representative. If permission is granted, all persons and
vessels must comply with any given instructions.
(C) No vessel may loiter, anchor, or conduct maintenance operations
within the security zone, unless otherwise directed by the Captain of
the Port St. Petersburg or a designated representative. This includes,
but is not limited to dredging operations, dive operations, and
surveying. Anyone wanting to conduct these operations must submit a
request via email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0255554f56636f726342777161652c6f6b6e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="75222238211418051435000616125b181c19">[email protected]</span></a> or contact the Sector Command
Center after hours at 727.824.7506.
(b) Definitions. As used in this section:
Ammonium nitrate means ammonium nitrate and ammonium nitrate based
fertilizers listed as Division 5.1 (oxidizing) materials as defined in
33 CFR 172.101 except when carried as CDC residue.
Captain of the Port (COTP) for the purpose of this section means
the Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg.
Captain of the Port St. Petersburg Zone as defined in 33 CFR 3.35-
35.
Certain dangerous cargo includes Division 1.5D blasting agents for
which a permit is required under 49 CFR 176.415 or, for which a permit
is required as a condition of Research and Special Programs
Administration exemption. This includes ammonium nitrate fuel oil
mixture.
Commercial vessels means any tank, bulk, container, cargo, cruise
ships, pilot vessels, or tugs. This definition excludes fishing
vessels, salvage vessels, dead ship tow operations.
Cruise Ship means the same as defined 33 CFR 101.105.
Designated representative means Coast Guard Patrol Commanders
including Coast Guard coxswains, petty officers and other officers
operating Coast Guard vessels, and Federal, State, and local officers
designated by or assisting the COTP, in the enforcement of regulated
navigation areas, safety zones, and security zones.
Especially hazardous cargo means anhydrous ammonia, ammonium
nitrate, chlorine, liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, and
any other substance, material, or group or class in a particular amount
and form that the Secretary determines by regulation poses a
significant risk of creating a transportation security incident while
being transported in maritime commerce.
(c) Regulations. (1) Entry into or remaining on or within the zones
described in paragraph (a) of this section is prohibited unless
authorized by the Captain of the Port St. Petersburg or a designated
representative.
(2) Any changes to the requirements for these regulated areas will
be given by Broadcast Notice to Mariners on VHF-FM Channel 22A.
Note 1 to Sec. 165.703(c)(2): A graphical representation of
all fixed security zones will be made available through nautical
charts via the Coast Pilot.
(3) The Captain of Port St. Petersburg has provisions for escorting
especially hazardous cargos as described in this subchapter, but
reserves the right to establish additional provisions for any
potentially hazardous cargos.
(d) Enforcement. Under Sec. 165.33, no person may authorize the
operation of a vessel in the security zones contrary to the provisions
of this section.
(e) Waivers. The Captain of the Port St. Petersburg may waive any
of the requirements of this subpart for any vessel, facility, or
structure upon finding that the vessel or class of vessel, operational
conditions, or other circumstances are such that application of this
subpart is unnecessary or impractical for purposes of port safety and
security or environmental safety.
Dated: November 18, 2025.
Courtney A. Sergent,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Sector St. Petersburg.
[FR Doc. 2025-20567 Filed 11-20-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on November 21, 2025.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.