Proposed Rule2026-09765
Special Local Regulation; Marine Events Within the USCG East District
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Published
May 15, 2026
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard is proposing to amend its special local regulations (SLR) for marine events within the USCG East District by adding SLRs for three recurring events located in the Virginia Captain of the Port Zone. This Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) would provide for the safety of life on the navigable waters of the York River, the East River, and the Elizabeth River Western Branch during high speed boat races which are typically held on each of those rivers annually. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 94 (Friday, May 15, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 94 (Friday, May 15, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27881-27884]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-09765]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 100
[Docket Number USCG-2026-0548]
RIN 1625-AA08
Special Local Regulation; Marine Events Within the USCG East
District
AGENCY: Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is proposing to amend its special local
regulations (SLR) for marine events within the USCG East District by
adding SLRs for three recurring events located in the Virginia Captain
of the Port Zone. This Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) would
provide for the safety of life on the navigable waters of the York
River, the East River, and the Elizabeth River Western Branch during
high speed boat races which are typically held on each of those rivers
annually. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.
DATES: Comments and related material must be received by the Coast
Guard on or before May 20, 2026.
ADDRESSES: To submit comments and view available documents, go to
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and search for USCG-2026-0548.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this
proposed rule, contact LCDR Justin Z. Strassfield, Sector Virginia
Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; by phone, at (206)
815-7367, or by email, at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#481e213a2f212621291f29312d3a3f29313b083d3b2b2f66252124"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d482bda6b3bdbabdb583b5adb1a6a3b5ada794a1a7b7b3fab9bdb8">[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
SLR Special Local Regulation
U.S.C. United States Code
II. Background and Authority
Coast Guard regulations define ``regatta or marine parade'' as an
organized water event of limited duration which is conducted according
to a prearranged schedule. 33 CFR 100.05(a). And, as explained in 33
CFR 100.15, Coast Guard requires that an organization planning to hold
a regatta or marine event apply for a permit if the event, by its
nature, circumstances, or location, will introduce extra or unusual
hazards to the safety of life on the navigable waters of the United
States. These permits may be approved by the Coast Guard, or by the
state in which the event is to take place, if there is a Coast Guard-
State agreement in place. See 33 CFR 100.10. Upon the approval of an
application, the Captain of the Port, Sector Virginia (COTP) may
promulgate such ``Special Local Regulations'' (SLR's) as he or she
deems necessary to ensure safety of life on the navigable waters
immediately prior to,
[[Page 27882]]
during, and immediately after the event. See 33 CFR 100.35(a).
Within the USCG East District, the Coast Guard has compiled many
recurring SLRs in one regulation, 33 CFR 100.501. Within Sec. 100.501,
these SLRs are arranged in tables, organized by Captain of the Port
Zone. We are now proposing to add three recurring marine events to the
table for the Virginia Captain of the Port Zone. General provisions of
Sec. 100.501, such as definitions, controls on vessel movement, and
Coast Guard contact information would apply to these SLRs. In past
years, we had promulgated temporary final rules to address particular
instances of one of these events. As we anticipate that these events
will continue to occur annually for the foreseeable future, we are
proposing a permanent SLR for each of the events.
The three events each involve high speed boat races. East River
Fest is located on the East River at the Williams Wharf in Mathews, VA.
The event is a boat docking contest sponsored by the Mathews Volunteer
Fire Department. Multiple commercial workboats will compete to be the
fastest boat to moor at designated boat slips at the Williams Wharf.
Power Boats at the Park is located on the Elizabeth River Western
Branch near Portsmouth City Park in Portsmouth, VA. The event is a high
speed boat race sponsored by the Portsmouth Power Boat Association.
Multiple vintage and historic recreational vessels will perform on a
designated course, sometimes at a high rate of speed. Yorktown Battle
of the Boats is located on the York River in the vicinity of the
Coleman Bridge in Yorktown, VA. The event is a high speed boat race and
a boat docking contest sponsored by the County of York. Multiple
deadrise fishing boats will race on a predetermined race course as well
as compete to be the fasted boat to moor up to mooring pilings at the
Yorktown waterfront piers.
The COTP has determined that hazards associated with these events
include personal injury and property damage which could result from
collisions between vessels participating in the event, spectator
vessels, and other non-participant vessels, such as transiting vessels.
To mitigate against the risk that these hazards might occur, and under
the authority of 46 U.S.C. 70041, the COTP is proposing to issue these
SLRs.
III. Discussion of the Proposed Rule
The first proposed SLR would establish a regulated area which would
be subject to enforcement on one Saturday in June or July of each year.
This year, it would be subject to enforcement June 20, 2026, from 11
a.m. until 6 p.m. The SLR would be located on the East River and would
encompass a small portion of the waterway around Williams Wharf in
Mathews, VA.
The second proposed SLR would establish a regulated area which
would be subject to enforcement on the second or third Saturday and
Sunday of August of each year, beginning August 15-16, 2026, from 8
a.m. until 4 p.m. each day. The SLR would encompass the racing area
located within a portion of the waters of the Elizabeth River Western
Branch in Portsmouth, VA.
The third proposed SLR would establish a regulated area on the
first Saturday and Sunday in June of each year, beginning June 6-7,
2026, from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. each day. The event includes two
regulated areas on the York River. The first regulated area would
encompass a portion of the waters of the York River in the vicinity of
the Coleman Bridge in Yorktown, VA on Saturday for a high speed boat
race. The second regulated area would encompass a portion of the waters
of the York River within the docking basin between the two Yorktown
Waterfront Piers in Yorktown, VA on Sunday for a boat docking contest.
As the dates and times of the events are subject to change, the
dates and times that the proposed SLRs would be subject to enforcement
would also be subject to change, in accordance with existing regulatory
text found in 33 CFR 100.501(g) and in the footnote to Table 1 to
paragraph (i)(3) of Sec. 100.501. In the event of a change, and where
we have not provided for a specific date or dates, the Captain of the
Port will provide notice to the public by publishing a Notification of
Enforcement in the Federal Register, as well as, issuing a Broadcast
Notice to Mariners. The footnote is provided beneath the table twice
and we are also proposing to remove one of those duplicative footnotes.
The duration of the SLRs is intended to ensure the safety of
vessels and these navigable waters before, during, and after each
scheduled marine event. No vessel or person would be permitted to enter
the special local regulation without obtaining permission from the COTP
or a designated representative. The regulatory text we are proposing
appears at the end of this document.
IV. Regulatory Analyses
We developed this proposed 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 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. The Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this
proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities for the following reasons.
Vessel traffic would be able to safely transit around the regulated
areas which would be subject to the rules. This regulation would only
impact a small area for a few hours. The enforcement periods would
occur during times 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 regulated area from the COTP.
If you think that your business, organization, or governmental
jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this proposed 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 proposed rule would economically affect it.
[[Page 27883]]
Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), if this proposed 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 proposed rules would 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 proposed 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 proposed 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 proposed rule would 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 these proposed rules 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 proposed rule is a special regulated area. It is categorically
excluded from further review under paragraph L61.
V. Public Participation and Request for Comments
We view public participation as essential to effective rulemaking
and will consider all comments and material received during the comment
period. Your comment can help shape the outcome of this rulemaking. If
you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this
rulemaking, indicate the specific section of 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="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. To do so, go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, type
USCG-2026-0548 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 you cannot submit your material by using
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, call or email the person in the FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this proposed rule for alternate
instructions.
Viewing material in the docket. To view available documents, find
the docket as described in the previous paragraph, and then select
``Supporting & Related Material'' in the Document Type column. We will
post public comments in our online docket. Additional information is 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 to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> will include any personal
information you have provided in the body of the docket submission.
Contact information (such as email or mailing address), however, will
not be available for public viewing unless the submitter includes that
information in the body of the docket submission. For more about
privacy and submissions to the docket in response to this document, see
DHS's eRulemaking System of Records notice (85 FR 14226, March 11,
2020).
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 100
Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Security measures, Waterways.
For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard is
proposing to amend 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 3 to paragraph (i)(3) by removing the
duplicate footnote 1 located beneath the table.
0
3. In Sec. 100.501, amend table 3 to paragraph (i)(3) by adding
entries for ``East River Fest,'' '' Power Boats at the Park,'' and
``Yorktown Battle of the Boats,'' in alphabetical order to read as
follows:
Sec. 100.501 Special Local Regulation; Marine Events Within the USCG
East District
* * * * *
(3) Coast Guard Sector Virginia--COTP Zone
Table 3 To Paragraph (i)(3)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * * *
East River Fest.................... All navigable waters of the June or July--One Mathews Vol. Fire
East River within the Saturday. Dept.
following latitude and
longitude points:
37[deg]24'12.0'' N,
076[deg]20'48.4'' W;
37[deg]24'12.0'' N,
076[deg]20'52.0'' W;
37[deg]24'13.0'' N,
076[deg]20'52.0'' W;
37[deg]24'13.1'' N,
076[deg]20'48.6'' W,
located near Williams
Wharf in Mathews, VA.
* * * * * * *
Power Boats at the Park............ All navigable waters of the August--second or Portsmouth Power Boat
Elizabeth River Western third Saturday and Association.
Branch within the Sunday.
following latitude and
longitude points:
36[deg]50'15.0'' N,
076[deg]22'32.0'' W;
36[deg]50'12.0'' N,
076[deg]22'34.0'' W;
36[deg]50'06.06'' N,
076[deg]22'30.0'' W;
36[deg]50'03.0'' N,
076[deg]21'56.0'' W;
36[deg]50'09.0'' N,
076[deg]21'52.0'' W;
36[deg]50'12.0'' N,
076[deg]21'54.0'' W.
[[Page 27884]]
* * * * * * *
Yorktown Battle of the Boats....... The event includes two June--first Saturday County of York.
regulated areas on the and Sunday.
York River. The first
regulated area will
encompass all navigable
waters of the York River
within the following
latitude and longitude
positions:
37[deg]14'21.6'' N,
76[deg]30'27.2'' W;
37[deg]14'23.5'' N,
76[deg]30'25.6'' W;
37[deg]14'10.4'' N,
76[deg]30'11.2'' W;
37[deg]14'13.3'' N,
76[deg]30'08.0'' W on
Saturday for a high speed
boat race. The second
regulated area will
encompass all navigable
waters of the York River
within the docking basin
between the two Yorktown
Waterfront piers bound by
the following latitude and
longitude positions:
37[deg]14'22.4'' N,
076[deg]30'29.0'' W;
37[deg]14'19.4'' N,
076[deg]30'24.4'' W;
37[deg]14'18.1'' N,
076[deg]30'27.3'' W;
37[deg]14'21.0'' N,
076[deg]30'30.1'' W on
Sunday for a boat docking
contest.
* * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Peggy M. Britton,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Sector Virginia.
[FR Doc. 2026-09765 Filed 5-14-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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