Rule2026-09375
Safety Zone; Seddon Channel, Tampa, 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 12, 2026
Effective
May 18, 2026
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters of Seddon Channel, Tampa Florida. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards associated with airborne and waterborne activities occurring during the Special Operation Forces (SOF) Week Conference 2026. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector St. Petersburg, or their designated representative.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 91 (Tuesday, May 12, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 91 (Tuesday, May 12, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25786-25787]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-09375]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[Docket Number USCG-2026-0496]
RIN 1625-AA00
Safety Zone; Seddon Channel, Tampa, FL
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 of Seddon Channel, Tampa Florida. The safety zone is
needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from
potential hazards associated with airborne and waterborne activities
occurring during the Special Operation Forces (SOF) Week Conference
2026. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless
specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector St.
Petersburg, or their designated representative.
DATES: This rule is effective from May 18, 2026, through May 22, 2026.
ADDRESSES: To view available documents go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and search for USCG-2026-0496.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this rule,
contact Lieutenant Ryan McNaughton, Sector St. Petersburg, Ports &
Waterways Branch Chief, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone (813) 918-7270,
email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9ac8e3fbf4b4dbb4d7f9d4fbeffdf2eef5f4daefe9f9fdb4f7f3f6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0f5d766e61214e21426c416e7a68677b60614f7a7c6c6821626663">[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 SOF Week demonstrations
will be occurring in Seddon Channel, in the vicinity of the Tampa
Convention Center, Tampa, FL. Hazards from these demonstrations include
high speed airborne and waterborne activities. The Captain of the Port
(COTP) St. Petersburg has determined that potential hazards associated
with these demonstrations are a safety concern for anyone within the
event area. 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 and contrary to the public interest.
Additionally, the Coast Guard was notified 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 18, 2026, to protect personnel,
vessels, and the marine environment. Therefore, we do not have enough
time to solicit and respond to comments.
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 because delaying the effective date
of this rule would risk the safety of the public and marine
environment, so it would be contrary to the public interest.
III. Discussion of the Rule
This rule establishes a safety zone daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on
May 18, 2026, through May 22, 2026. The safety zone will cover all
navigable waters in the Seddon Channel within the following points:
Point 1 at 27[deg]56'14'' N, 082[deg]27'25'' W, thence to Point 2 at
27[deg]56'15'' N, 082[deg]27'19'' W; thence to Point 3 at
27[deg]56'22'' N, 082[deg]27'16'' W, thence to Point 4 at
27[deg]56'25'' N, 082[deg]27'17'' W; thence to Point 5 at
27[deg]56'30'' N, 082[deg]27'29'' W, thence to Point 6 at
27[deg]56'29'' N, 082[deg]27'33'' W, thence to Point 7 at
27[deg]56'25'' N, 082[deg]27'35'' W, thence to Point 8 at
27[deg]56'23'' N, 082[deg]27'33'' W, thence returning to Point 1.
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
[[Page 25787]]
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; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4.
0
2. Add Sec. 165.T07-0496 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T07-0496 Safety Zone; Seddon Channel, Tampa, FL.
(a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All waters of
Seddon Channel encompassed within the following points: 27[deg]56'14''
N, 082[deg]27'25'' W, thence to position 27[deg]56'15'' N,
082[deg]27'19'' W; thence to position 27[deg]56'22'' N, 082[deg]27'16''
W, thence to position 27[deg]56'25'' N, 082[deg]27'17'' W; thence to
position 27[deg]56'30'' N, 082[deg]27'29'' W, thence to position
27[deg]56'29'' N, 082[deg]27'33'' W, thence to position 27[deg]56'25''
N, 082[deg]27'35'' W, thence to position 27[deg]56'23'' N,
082[deg]27'33'' W, thence back to the original position 27[deg]56'14''
N, 082[deg]27'25'' W. All coordinates are North American Datum 1983.
(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 (COTP) St. Peterburg 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 (866) 881-1392.
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 daily from 8
a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from May 18, 2026, through May 22, 2026.
Courtney A. Sergent,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector Saint Petersburg.
[FR Doc. 2026-09375 Filed 5-11-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on May 12, 2026.
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