Notice2026-03209
Proposal To Relocate the COLREGS Demarcation Line, Atlantic Coast, New York Harbor
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
February 18, 2026
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard seeks input from the public on a proposed change to the demarcation line in the New York Harbor. We request public input to help in assessing the current state of navigation safety and regulation in the New York Harbor area and associated waterways which make up the approaches. This information will support our understanding of the diverse array of waterways users and who this change may affect. Coast Guard requests information on whether we should make a change and how an earlier or later change in the demarcation line impacts vessel operations and transit.
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)]
[Notices]
[Page 7508]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-03209]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
[Docket No. USCG-2025-0101]
Proposal To Relocate the COLREGS Demarcation Line, Atlantic
Coast, New York Harbor
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Request for information.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard seeks input from the public on a proposed
change to the demarcation line in the New York Harbor. We request
public input to help in assessing the current state of navigation
safety and regulation in the New York Harbor area and associated
waterways which make up the approaches. This information will support
our understanding of the diverse array of waterways users and who this
change may affect. Coast Guard requests information on whether we
should make a change and how an earlier or later change in the
demarcation line impacts vessel operations and transit.
DATES: Comments must be received by the Coast Guard on or before May
19, 2026.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2025-0101 at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. See the ``Public
Participation and Request for Comments'' portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION section for further instructions on submitting comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about this document
call or email Lieutenant Commander John Nolan, Office of Navigation
Systems (CG-NAV), Coast Guard; telephone 202-372-1566, email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8be8ece5eafdcbfef8e8eca5e6e2e7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f291959c9384b287819195dc9f9b9e">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Public Participation and Comments
Coast Guard encourages you to submit comments or related material
on the petitioner's Proposal to Relocate the International Regulations
for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) Demarcation Line, Atlantic
Coast, New York Harbor. The Coast Guard views public participation as
essential to understanding the current state of navigation within New
York Harbor and the approaches, along with the observations, concern
and opinions of those operating on these waterways. If you submit a
comment, please include the docket number for this notice, indicate the
specific section or question within this document to which each comment
applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or recommendation.
Submitting comments. We encourage you to submit comments at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>. To do so, go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, type
USCG-2025-0101 in the search box and click ``Search.'' Next, look for
this document in the Search Results column, and click on it. Then click
on the Comment option. If your material cannot be submitted using
<a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>, contact the person in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document for alternate
instructions.
Viewing material in docket. To view documents mentioned in this
notice as being available in the docket, find the docket as described
in the previous paragraph, and then select ``Supporting & Related
Material'' in the Document Type column. Public comments will also be
placed in our online docket and can be viewed by following instructions
on the <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> Frequently Asked Questions web page.
Personal information. We accept anonymous comments. Comments we
post will include any personal information you have provided. For more
information about privacy and submissions in response to this document,
see DHS's eRulemaking System of Records notice (85 FR 14226, March 11,
2020).
II. Background
A waterways operator submitted a petition for rulemaking requesting
the Coast Guard relocate the demarcation line in the New York Harbor
from its current location to a new line starting from Highland Light
(LLNR35025) to the Jones Inlet Light (LLNR 30890), intersecting the red
and white (RW) ``A'' Morse Alpha Bouy. This proposal would amend 33 CFR
80.165. The petitioner contends that this adjustment would better
reflect contemporary navigational practices and enhance maritime safety
by clarifying the application of navigational rules within key approach
channels. The petitioner's request is available in the docket,
including a chartlet the petitioner provided.
III. Request for Information
The Coast Guard requests information on the current state of
navigation within New York Harbor and the approaches, along with the
observations, concerns, and opinions of those operating on these
waterways. Accordingly, Coast Guard requests relevant comments and
information from the public and particularly from commercial vessel
operators to include deep draft, towing industry, and fishing vessel
fleets that may be affected by or have information on this topic.
Coast Guard requests your input on whether we should consider
making the change to the demarcation line from ``a line from East
Rockaway Inlet Breakwater Light to Sandy Hook Light'' to instead ``a
line from Highlands Light (LLBR 35025) to the Jones Inlet Light (LLNR
30890), which intersects the RW `A' Morse Alpha Buoy''. Coast Guard
also requests information on how an earlier or later change in the
demarcation line (switching from COLREGS to Inland Navigation Rules)
impacts vessel operations and transits.
Loan T. O'Brien,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief, Office of Navigation Systems.
[FR Doc. 2026-03209 Filed 2-17-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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