Rule2026-09166
Special Local Regulations; Marine Events Within the USCG East District
Primary source
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Published
May 8, 2026
Effective
June 8, 2026
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard is amending a special local regulation for certain waters of the Patapsco River, in Baltimore, MD by adding a new period during which this regulation would be subject to enforcement. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters during the 3rd and 4th weeks of June, during Fleet Week events. This rule prohibits persons and vessels from entering the regulated area during this enforcement period unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Maryland-National Capital Region or the Coast Guard Patrol Commander.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 89 (Friday, May 8, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 89 (Friday, May 8, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25133-25135]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-09166]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 100
[Docket Number USCG-2025-1108]
RIN 1625-AA08
Special Local Regulations; Marine Events Within the USCG East
District
AGENCY: Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is amending a special local regulation for
certain waters of the Patapsco River, in Baltimore, MD by adding a new
period during which this regulation would be subject to enforcement.
This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these
navigable waters during the 3rd and 4th weeks of June, during Fleet
Week events. This rule prohibits persons and vessels from entering the
regulated area during this enforcement period unless authorized by the
Captain of the Port Maryland-National Capital Region or the Coast Guard
Patrol Commander.
DATES: This rule is effective June 8, 2026. In 2026, the rule will be
subject to enforcement from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day from June 24 to
June 28.
ADDRESSES: To view available documents go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and search for USCG-2025-1108.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this
rulemaking, call or email LCDR Kate Newkirk, U.S. Coast Guard Sector
Maryland-National Capital Region; telephone 410-576-2674, email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#206b4154450e6d0e6e45574b49524b60555343470e4d494c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3e755f4a5b107310705b4955574c557e4b4d5d5910535752">[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
``Historic Ships in Baltimore, Inc.'' is the sponsor of an event
titled ``Air Show Baltimore,'' which is held every two years, on the
Patapsco River, including the Inner Harbor, in Baltimore, MD. To
address potential hazards arising from the event, the Coast Guard has
promulgated a Special Local Regulation (SLR) which is codified in 33
CFR 100.501. Normally, Air Show Baltimore is held on one four-day
(Thursday through Sunday) weekend in September or October, as provided
in Table 2 to Paragraph (i)(2) to Sec. 100.501. This year, however,
``Historic Ships in Baltimore, Inc.,'' together with Fleet Week 2026,
and Sail250, Inc., all of Baltimore, MD, have notified the Coast Guard
that they will be conducting the Air Show Baltimore in conjunction with
a Fleet Week celebration from 12 noon to 4 p.m. daily from June 24,
2026, to July 1, 2026.
[[Page 25134]]
The biennial air show consists of various types of military
aircraft performing low-flying, high-speed precision maneuvers and
aerial stunts. The U.S. Navy's Blue Angels flight demonstration
squadron aircraft will fly between 12 noon and 4 p.m. on June 24-28,
2026. The new enforcement period would begin two hours before and end
two hours after the hours during which air shows would be scheduled to
occur. To address this, the Coast Guard proposed to change the existing
rule by adding the new enforcement period to the existing entry in
Table 2 to Paragraph (i)(2) to Sec. 100.501 on January 27, 2026 (91 FR
3401.)
III. Discussion of Comments and the Rule
During the comment period that ended on February 26, 2026, we
received four comments, but all of them were outside the scope of the
rulemaking.
There are no changes in the regulatory text of this rule from the
text of the rule proposed in the NPRM. This rule establishes a safety
zone which will be subject to enforcement this year from 12 noon on
June 24, 2026 until 4 p.m. on June 28, 2026. The existing SLR is
subject to all the requirements which pertain generally to SLRs in
Sec. 100.501, as well as to specific requirements set out in paragraph
(h)(2) of that section. The regulated area, which would not change, and
periods during which the SLR are currently subject to enforcement are
set out in the first row of Table 2 to paragraph (i)(2) of Sec.
100.501. The existing SLR is currently only subject to enforcement on
one of three four-day (Thursday through Sunday) weekends in September
or October on alternating years. The sole purpose of the rule would is
to create four new potential enforcement periods. This year, from 10
a.m. to 6 p.m. from June 24 to July 1.
Except for Air Show Baltimore participants and vessels already at
berth, a vessel or person would be required to get permission from the
COTP or PATCOM before entering the regulated area during the
enforcement period. Vessel operators would request permission to enter
and transit through the regulated area by contacting the COTP or PATCOM
on VHF-FM channel 16. A person or vessel not registered with the event
sponsor as a participant or assigned as official patrols would be
considered a non-participant. Official Patrols are any vessel assigned
or approved by the Commander, Coast Guard Sector Maryland-National
Capital Region with a commissioned warrant, or petty officer on board
and displaying a Coast Guard ensign.
If permission is granted by the COTP or PATCOM, a non-participant
would be allowed to enter the regulated area or pass directly through
the regulated area as instructed. Vessels would be required to operate
at a safe speed that minimizes wake while within the regulated area, in
a manner that would not endanger event participants or any other craft.
Official patrol vessels would direct non-participants while within the
regulated area. The air show aerobatics areas located within the
regulated areas is restricted to Air Show Baltimore participants.
IV. Regulatory Analyses
We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and
Executive orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our analysis
based on a number of these statutes and Executive orders.
A. Impact on Small Entities
The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA), 5 U.S.C. 601-612, as
amended, requires Federal agencies to consider the potential impact of
regulations on small entities during rulemaking. The term ``small
entities'' comprises small businesses, not-for-profit organizations
that are independently owned and operated and are not dominant in their
fields, and governmental jurisdictions with populations of less than
50,000. Section 605 of the RFA allows an agency to certify a rule, in
lieu of preparing an analysis, if the rulemaking is not expected to
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities.
The Coast Guard certifies that, although some small entities may
intend to transit the safety zone above, this rule will not have a
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
Vessel traffic will be able to safely transit around this safety zone.
This safety zone will only impact a small designated area for a few
hours. It is during a time when vessel traffic is normally low. In
addition, the Coast Guard will issue a Broadcast Notice to Marines via
VHF FM marine channel 16, which will allow small entities to adjust
their transit plans, 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 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.
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165
Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Security measures, Waterways.
[[Page 25135]]
For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends
33 CFR part 100 as follows:
PART 100-- SAFETY OF LIFE ON NAVIGABLE WATERS
0
1. The authority citation for part 100 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 46 U.S.C. 70041; 33 CFR 1.05- 1.
0
2. In Sec. 100.501, amend table 2 to paragraph (i)(2) by revising the
entry for ``Air Show Baltimore'' to read as follows:
Sec. 100.501 Special Local Regulations; Marine Events Within the USCG
East District.
* * * * *
(i) * * *
(2) * * *
Table 2 to Paragraph (i)(2)
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Event Regulated area Enforcement period(s) \1\ Sponsor
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Air Show Baltimore................ Regulated area: All Biennial, even years:..... Historic Ships in
navigable waters of the 1. The 2nd Thursday in Baltimore, Inc.
Patapsco River, within an September, following a
area bounded by a line Friday, Saturday and
connecting position Sunday; or.
latitude 39[deg]16'00'' 2. The Thursday, Friday,
N, longitude Saturday and Sunday
076[deg]36'30'' W, thence before Columbus Day
east to latitude (observed); or.
39[deg]16'00'' N, 3. The Thursday, Friday,
longitude 076[deg]33'00'' Saturday and Sunday after
W, thence south to Columbus Day (observed);
latitude 39[deg]14'30'' or.
N, longitude 4. from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
076[deg]33'00'' W, thence from June 24 to July 1..
west to latitude
39[deg]14'30'' N,
longitude 076[deg]36'30''
W, thence north to point
of origin, located
between Port Covington
and Seagirt Marine
Terminal, Baltimore, MD.
Spectator Area: All
navigable waters of
Patapsco River located
between the northern
boundary defined by a
line drawn from the
vicinity of North Locust
Point Marine Terminal,
Pier 1 thence east to
Canton Industrial area,
Pier 5; the south
boundary is defined by a
line drawn from vicinity
of Whetstone Point thence
east to Lazaretto Point.
This area is located
generally where Northwest
Harbor, East Channel
joins Patapsco River,
Fort McHenry Channel,
near Fort McHenry
National Monument,
Baltimore, MD. This area
is bound by a line to the
north commencing at
position latitude
39[deg]16'01'' N,
longitude 076[deg]34'46''
W, thence east to
latitude 39[deg]16'01''
N, longitude
076[deg]34'09'' W, and
bound by a line to the
south commencing at
position latitude
39[deg]15'39'' N,
longitude 076[deg]35'23''
W, thence east to
latitude 39[deg]15'26''
N, longitude
076[deg]34'03'' W. This
spectator area is
restricted to certain
vessels as described in
this paragraph (i)(2)..
* * * * * * *
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* * * * *
Dated: May 05, 2026.
Patrick C. Burkett,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Maryland-National
Capital Region.
[FR Doc. 2026-09166 Filed 5-7-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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