Rule2026-00326
Safety Zone; Hillsborough Bay, Tampa, 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
January 12, 2026
Effective
January 24, 2026
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters of Hillsborough Bay, in the vicinity of the Gasparilla Children's Air Show. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by the flying demonstrations over the water. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector St. Petersburg.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 7 (Monday, January 12, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 7 (Monday, January 12, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1093-1094]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-00326]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[Docket Number USCG-2025-1111]
RIN 1625-AA00
Safety Zone; Hillsborough Bay, Tampa, FL
AGENCY: Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security.
ACTION: Temporary final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for
navigable waters of Hillsborough Bay, in the vicinity of the Gasparilla
Children's Air Show. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel,
vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by
the flying demonstrations over the water. Entry of vessels or persons
into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the
Captain of the Port Sector St. Petersburg.
DATES: This rule is effective on January 24, 2026.
ADDRESSES: To view available documents go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and search for USCG-2025-1111.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this rule,
contact Lieutenant Ryan McNaughton, Sector St. Petersburg Waterways
Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone (813) 228-2191, or
email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7e2c071f10503f50331d101f0b19160a11103e0b0d1d1950131712"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="67351e06094926492a04090612000f1308092712140400490a0e0b">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Table of Abbreviations
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
Sec. Section
U.S.C. United States Code
II. Background and Authority
The Coast Guard received notification that an airshow will take
place on the waters of Hillsborough Bay, Tampa, FL. Hazards from air
shows include accidental falling projectiles. The Captain of the Port
(COTP) St. Petersburg has determined that potential hazards associated
with the airshow are a safety concern for anyone within the vicinity of
the event. Therefore, the COTP is issuing this rule under the authority
in 46 U.S.C. 70034, which is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and
the marine environment in the navigable waters within the safety zone.
The Coast Guard is issuing this rule without prior notice and
comment. As is authorized by 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the Coast Guard finds
that good cause exists for not publishing a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) with respect to this rule because it is impracticable
and contrary to the public interest. The Coast Guard was notified of
this event too late in the planning process to have time to solicit
comments, but we must establish this safety zone by January 24, 2026,
to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment.
For the same reasons, the Coast Guard finds that under 5 U.S.C.
553(d)(3), good cause exists for making this rule effective less than
30 days after publication in the Federal Register.
III. Discussion of the Rule
This rule establishes a safety zone from 12 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. on
January 24, 2026. The safety zone will cover all navigable waters
within the vicinity of the air show. No vessel or person will be
permitted to enter the safety zone without obtaining permission from
the COTP or their designated representative.
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 regulatory flexibility analysis provisions of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act of 1980, 5 U.S.C. 601-612, do not apply to rules that
are not subject to notice and comment. Because the Coast Guard has, for
good cause, waived the notice and comment requirement that would
otherwise apply to this rulemaking, the Regulatory Flexibility Act's
flexibility analysis provisions do not apply here.
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-
[[Page 1094]]
888-REG-FAIR (1-888-734-3247). The Coast Guard will not retaliate
against small entities that question or complain about this rule or any
policy or action of the Coast Guard.
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 is a safety zone. 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; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4.
0
2. Add Sec. 165.T07-1111 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T07-1111 Safety Zone; Hillsborough Bay, Tampa, FL.
(a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All waters of
Hillsborough Bay, from surface to bottom, encompassed by a line
connecting the following points beginning at 27[deg]56'06.0'' N,
082[deg]27'59.9'' W, thence to 27[deg]56'04.8'' N, 082[deg]27'39.9'' W,
thence to 27[deg]54'32.5'' N, 082[deg]27'45.4'' W, thence to
27[deg]54'20.7'' N, 082[deg]29'20.9'' W thence to 27[deg]55'09.3'' N,
082[deg]29'22.3'' W and along the shoreline back to the beginning
point. These coordinates are based on the World Geodetic System (WGS
84).
(b) Definitions. As used in this section, designated representative
means a Coast Guard Patrol Commander, including a Coast Guard coxswain,
petty officer, or other officer operating a Coast Guard vessel and a
Federal, State, and local officer designated by or assisting the
Captain of the Port St. Petersburg (COTP) in the enforcement of the
safety zone.
(c) Regulations. (1) Under the general safety zone regulations in
subpart C of this part, you may not enter the safety zone described in
paragraph (a) of this section unless authorized by the COTP or the
COTP's designated representative.
(2) To seek permission to enter, contact the COTP or the COTP's
representative on VHF-FM channel 16 or by telephone at (866) 881-1392.
Those in the safety zone must comply with all lawful orders or
directions given to them by the COTP or the COTP's designated
representative.
(d) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 12 p.m.
to 7:30 p.m. on January 24, 2026.
Courtney A. Sergent,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector St. Petersburg.
[FR Doc. 2026-00326 Filed 1-9-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on January 12, 2026.
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