Rule2026-08822
Safety Zone; Key West Paddle Classic, Key West, 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
May 6, 2026
Effective
May 9, 2026
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary moving safety zone for the navigable waters surrounding Key West, Florida. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards associated with the Key West Paddle Classic event. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Key West, or their designated representative.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 87 (Wednesday, May 6, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 87 (Wednesday, May 6, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24370-24372]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-08822]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[Docket Number USCG-2026-0480]
RIN 1625-AA00
Safety Zone; Key West Paddle Classic, Key West, FL
AGENCY: Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security.
ACTION: Temporary final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary moving safety zone
for the navigable waters surrounding Key West, Florida. The safety zone
is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment
from potential hazards associated with the Key West Paddle Classic
event. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless
specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Key West, or their
designated representative.
DATES: This rule is effective from 6 a.m. until 5 p.m. on May 9, 2026.
[[Page 24371]]
ADDRESSES: To view available documents go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and search for USCG-2026-0480.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this rule,
contact MSTC Mathew Mason, Sector Key West Waterways Management
Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 305-292-8823, or email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c28fa3b6aaa7b5ec90ec8fa3b1adac82b7b1a1a5ecafabae"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fbb69a8f939e8cd5a9d5b69a889495bb8e88989cd5969297">[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 a marine event will be
held on May 9, 2026, consisting of 100 paddle craft paddling around the
island of Key West. The Captain of the Port (COTP) Key West has
determined that potential hazards associated with the event are a
safety concern for anyone along the course of the event when
participants are present. 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.
Because of these potential hazards, 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. Additionally, the Coast Guard was
notified of the final details of this event too late in the planning
process to engage in the public comment process but we must establish
this safety zone by May 9, 2026, to protect personnel, vessels, and the
marine environment. Therefore, we do not have enough time to solicit
and respond to comments.
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 temporary moving safety zone from 6 a.m.
until 5 p.m. on May 9, 2026. The safety zone will cover all navigable
waters within 50 yards in front of the lead safety vessel preceding the
first event participants, 50 yards behind the safety vessel trailing
the last event participants, and at all times extend 100 yards on
either side of event participants. The event course begins at the
Beachside Resort in Key West, Florida, moves south through Cow Key
Channel, west to Higgs Beach to the area offshore of Fort Zachary
Taylor Historic State Park, north through Key West Harbor, east through
Fleming Key Cut, and west returning to the Beachside Resort in Key
West, FL. Vessels and persons will not be allowed to enter the zone
during this time, unless authorized by the Captain of the Port.
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 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 et seq.), 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; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No.
00170.1, Revision No. 01.4.
0
2. Add Sec. 165.T07-0480 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T07-0480 Safety Zone; Key West Paddle Classic, Key West, FL.
(a) Location. The following area is a moving safety zone: All
waters of the
[[Page 24372]]
Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of America from surface to bottom, along a
course starting at the Beachside Resort in Key West, Florida, moves
south through Cow Key Channel, west to Higgs Beach to the area offshore
of Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, north through Key West
Harbor, east through Fleming Key Cut, and west returning to the
Beachside Resort in Key West, FL. The safety zone will extend 50 yards
in front of the lead safety vessel preceding the first event
participants, 50 yards behind the safety vessel trailing the last event
participants, and at all times extend 100 yards on either side of event
participants.
(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 Key West (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 888-245-9727.
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 6 a.m.
to 5 p.m. on May 9, 2026.
Joshua M. Empen,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Sector Key West.
[FR Doc. 2026-08822 Filed 5-5-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on May 6, 2026.
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