Rule2026-09168
Safety Zone; Inner Harbor, Baltimore, MD
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 8, 2026
Effective
July 1, 2026
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for certain navigable waters of the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, MD. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created during an Air Show. This rulemaking prohibits persons and vessels from being in the safety zone unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Maryland-National Capital Region, or a designated representative.
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 25139-25141]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-09168]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[Docket Number USCG-2026-0018]
RIN 1625-AA00
Safety Zone; Inner Harbor, Baltimore, MD
AGENCY: Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for
certain navigable waters of the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, MD. The
safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine
environment from potential hazards created during an Air Show. This
rulemaking prohibits persons and vessels from being in the safety zone
unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector
Maryland-National Capital Region, or a designated representative.
DATES: This rule is effective from 10 a.m. June 24 through 6 p.m. on
July 1, 2026. However, it will only be subject to enforcement from 10
a.m. to 6 p.m. on each day it is in effect.
ADDRESSES: To view available documents, go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and search for USCG-2026-0018.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this
proposed rule, contact Mr. Charles Bullock, Sector Maryland-National
Capital Region Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard;
telephone 410-576-2674, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#abe8c3cad9c7ced885cf85c9dec7c7c4c8c0ebded8c8cc85c6c2c7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a8ebc0c9dac4cddb86cc86caddc4c4c7cbc3e8dddbcbcf86c5c1c4">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Table of Abbreviations
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port, Sector Maryland-National Capital Region
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
SAIL250[supreg] Maryland & Airshow Baltimore (SAIL250) is planning
a week-long celebration of maritime and aviation events in Baltimore's
Inner Harbor beginning June 24, 2026. Among these events are flyovers
and aviation demonstrations. The events may include a U.S. Coast Guard
Search and Rescue Drill and WWII-era ``Warbird'' flyovers. On January
30, 2026, the Coast Guard published a notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM) titled Safety Zone; Inner Harbor, Baltimore, MD (91 FR 4022). In
that NPRM, we stated why we issued the NPRM and invited comments on our
proposed regulatory action related to this air show. During the comment
period, which ended March 2, 2026, we received no comments.
To protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from
potential hazards arising from these activities in these navigable
waters before, during, and after the air demonstrations, the Captain of
the Port, Sector Maryland-National Capital Region (COTP) is
establishing a safety zone from 10 a.m. on June 24, 2026, through 6
p.m. on July 1, 2026. We are proposing this rule under the authority in
46 U.S.C. 70034.
III. Discussion Comments of the Rule
There are no changes in the regulatory text of this rule from the
proposed rule in the NPRM.
Although the safety zone would be in effect for a week, it would
only be subject to enforcement beginning thirty
[[Page 25140]]
minutes prior to a demonstration and ending at the conclusion of that
demonstration. It would cover all navigable waters of the Inner Harbor,
encompassed by a line connecting the following points: beginning at
Inner Harbor Pier 6 at position latitude 39[deg]16'59'' N, longitude
076[deg]36'12'' W, thence south to the Harborview Towers pier at
latitude 39[deg]16'41'' N, longitude 076[deg]36'12'' W, thence
northerly and easterly along the shoreline to and terminating at the
point of origin located in Baltimore, MD. The dimensions of the safety
zone are approximately 2,000 yards in length and 500 yards in width.
The regulatory text we are proposing appears at the end of this
document.
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, 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 Regulatory Flexibility Act 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 under 5 U.S.C.
605(b) that this rule would not have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities for the following reasons.
This regulation will only impact a small area for a few hours at a
time. 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 regulated area from the COTP.
If you think that your business, organization, or governmental
jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this rule would have
a significant economic impact on it, please submit a comment (see
ADDRESSES) explaining why you think it qualifies and how and to what
degree this rule would economically affect it.
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 if 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. 4321-4370f), 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; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No.
00170.1, Revision No. 01.4.
0
2. Add Sec. 165.T05-0018 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T05--0018 Safety Zone; Inner Harbor, Baltimore, MD.
(a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All waters of
the Inner Harbor, encompassed by a line connecting the following
points: beginning at Inner Harbor Pier 6 at position latitude
39[deg]16'59'' N, longitude 076[deg]36'12'' W, thence south to the
Harborview Towers pier at latitude 39[deg]16'41'' N, longitude
076[deg]36'12'' W, thence northerly and easterly along the shoreline to
and terminating at the point of origin, located in Baltimore, MD. These
coordinates are based on the World Geodetic System (WGS 84)/North
American Datum 83 (NAD 83).
(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 Sector Maryland-National Capital Region (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 (410) 576-2693.
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.
[[Page 25141]]
(d) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced as needed
from June 24, 2026, to July 1, 2026.
Dated: May 5, 2026.
Patrick C. Burkett,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Sector Maryland--
National Capital Region.
[FR Doc. 2026-09168 Filed 5-7-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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