Rule2026-03138
Safety Zone; San Juan Harbor, San Juan, PR
Primary source
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Published
February 18, 2026
Effective
February 18, 2026
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters within 200 yards radius around the Barge DEFIANT grounded north of El Morro, east of the green buoy three, near the entrance of the San Juan Harbor. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by the Barge DEFIANT grounding. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector San Juan.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 32 (Wednesday, February 18, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 18, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7399-7400]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-03138]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[Docket Number USCG-2026-0075]
RIN 1625-AA00
Safety Zone; San Juan Harbor, San Juan, PR
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 within 200 yards radius around the Barge DEFIANT
grounded north of El Morro, east of the green buoy three, near the
entrance of the San Juan Harbor. The safety zone is needed to protect
personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards
created by the Barge DEFIANT grounding. Entry of vessels or persons
into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the
Captain of the Port, Sector San Juan.
DATES: This rule is effective without actual notice from February 18,
2026 through February 23, 2026. For the purposes of enforcement, actual
notice will be used from February 9, 2026, until February 18, 2026.
ADDRESSES: To view available documents go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and search for USCG-2026-0075.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this rule,
contact Lieutenant Commander Rachel E. Thomas, Sector San Juan,
Waterways Management Division Chief, Coast Guard; telephone (571) 613-
1417, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#590b383a313c35771c770d313634382a192c2a3a3e77343035"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="da88bbb9b2bfb6f49ff48eb2b5b7bba99aafa9b9bdf4b7b3b6">[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 the Barge DEFIANT
grounded north of El Morro, east of the green buoy three, near the
entrance of the San Juan Harbor. The Captain of the Port (COTP) San
Juan has determined that potential hazards associated with the vessel
grounding are a safety concern for anyone within 200 yards radius
around the grounded Barge DEFIANT barge. 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.
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 over all navigable waters
within 200 yards radius of the current location of the Barge DEFIANT.
The duration of the zone is intended to protect personnel, vessels, and
the marine environment in these navigable waters while the Owning
company of the vessel completes their salvage plan.
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 1-888-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
[[Page 7400]]
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(d) 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. Add Sec. 165.T07-0075 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T07-0075 Safety Zone; San Juan Harbor, San Juan, PR.
(a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: Certain waters
of the Atlantic Ocean north of El Morro, east of the green buoy three,
near the entrance of the San Juan Harbor, from surface to bottom,
within 200 yards radius of 18[deg]28'19.1'' N 66[deg]07'30.5'' W, the
current location of the Barge DEFIANT.
(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 San Juan (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, transiting through,
anchoring in, or remaining within 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 by telephone at (787) 289-2041, or a designated
representative via VHF-FM radio on channel 16 to request authorization.
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 February
9, 2026 February 23, 2026.
Robert E. Stiles,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Captain of the Port Sector San Juan.
[FR Doc. 2026-03138 Filed 2-17-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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