Rule2026-10156
Special Local Regulation; Sail Yorktown; York River, Yorktown, VA
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 21, 2026
Effective
June 12, 2026
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary special local regulation (SLR) for certain navigable waters on the York River, in Yorktown, VA. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters during a three-day marine event. This rulemaking prohibits persons and vessels from entering the regulated area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Virginia or a designated representative.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 98 (Thursday, May 21, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 98 (Thursday, May 21, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29902-29904]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-10156]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 100
[Docket Number USCG-2026-0550]
RIN 1625-AA08
Special Local Regulation; Sail Yorktown; York River, Yorktown, VA
AGENCY: Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security.
ACTION: Temporary final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary special local
regulation (SLR) for certain navigable waters on the York River, in
Yorktown, VA. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of
life on these navigable waters during a three-day marine event. This
rulemaking prohibits persons and vessels from entering the regulated
area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Virginia or a
designated representative.
DATES: This rule is effective from June 12, 2026 through June 14, 2026.
ADDRESSES: To view available documents go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and search for USCG-2026-0550.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this 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#89dfe0fbeee0e7e0e8dee8f0ecfbfee8f0fac9fcfaeaeea7e4e0e5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="eabc83988d8384838bbd8b938f989d8b9399aa9f99898dc4878386">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Table of Abbreviations
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port, Sector Virginia
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, during, and immediately after the event. See 33
CFR 100.35(a).
An organization notified the Coast Guard on June 20, 2025 that they
will be sponsoring a multi-day, multi-
[[Page 29903]]
activity marine event on the York River near Yorktown, VA. On April 30,
2026, the Coast Guard received the information necessary to determine
the duration and size of the event and that it will impact navigation
and require additional safety measures to protect the safety of life
before, during, and after the event. Among the activities that will
take place during the marine event are a parade of sail, a search and
rescue demonstration, and a fireworks display. The event will be held
from 8 a.m. on June 12, 2026 through 3 p.m. on June 14, 2026, in
Yorktown, VA. The sponsor anticipates there will be approximately 25
participants and 250 spectator craft present.
The Captain of the Port Sector Virginia (COTP) has determined that
potential hazards associated with the event are a safety concern for
anyone within the event area. Therefore, under the authority of 46
U.S.C. 70041, the COTP is issuing this rule to protect personnel,
vessels, and the marine environment in the navigable waters within the
regulated area. The regulatory text we are proposing appears at the end
of this document.
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
to do so if we are to establish the final SLR by June 12, 2026 to
protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment.
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 three regulated areas. The regulated area for
the Parade of Sail area will be enforced from 8 a.m. until noon on June
12, 2026. That regulated area will occur on the Yorktown Waterfront and
will encompass all waters of the York River within the following
latitude and longitude positions: 37[deg]14'37'' N, 076[deg]27'43'' W;
37[deg]13'48'' N, 076[deg]27'42'' W; 37[deg]14'6'' N, 076[deg]30'16''
W; 37[deg]14'37'' N, 076[deg]14'37'' N, 076[deg]30'27'' W.
A Search and Rescue Demonstration Regulated Area will be enforced
for one hour in the afternoon on June 13, 2026 and again for one hour
in the afternoon on June 14, 2026. Specific enforcement times will be
announced as noted below. The regulated area will encompass all waters
of the York River within 800' of the center position 37[deg]14'15'' N,
076[deg]30'22'' W.
A Fireworks Regulated Area will be enforced from 8:30 p.m. until
9:30 p.m. on June 13, 2026. The regulated area will encompass all
waters of the York River within 300' of the center position
37[deg]14'7'' N, 076[deg]30'15'' W.
No vessel or person will be permitted to enter the regulated areas
while they are subject to enforcement without obtaining permission from
the COTP or their designated representative. Any vessel or person in
the regulated area will be required to follow the directions of the
COTP or their designated representative. The Coast Guard will issue a
Broadcast Notice to Marines via VHF FM marine channel 16 for specific
times of enforcement. 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 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 special local regulation. It is categorically
excluded from further review under paragraph L61 of Appendix A, Table 1
of DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev. 1.
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 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. Add Sec. 100.T599-0550 to read as follows:
[[Page 29904]]
Sec. 100.T599-0550 Special Local Regulation; Sail Yorktown; York
River, Yorktown, VA
(a) Location. This special local regulation applies to the
following regulated areas, with coordinates based on the World Geodetic
System (WGS 84): (1) A Parade of Sail Regulated Area will encompass all
waters of the York River within the following latitude and longitude
positions: 37[deg]14'37'' N, 076[deg]27'43'' W; 37[deg]13'48'' N,
076[deg]27'42'' W; 37[deg]14'6'' N, 076[deg]30'16'' W; 37[deg]14'37''
N, 076[deg]14'37'' N, 076[deg]30'27'' W;
(2) A Search and Rescue Demonstration Regulated Area will encompass
all waters of the York River within 800' of the center position
37[deg]14'15'' N, 076[deg]30'22'' W;
(3) A Fireworks Regulated Area will encompass all waters of the
York River within 300' of the center position 37[deg]14'7'' N,
076[deg]30'15'' W.
(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 Virginia (COTP) in the enforcement of the
regulated area. Non-participant means all persons and vessels not
registered with the event sponsor as a participant in the race.
(c) Regulations. (1) All non-participants are prohibited from
entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within the
regulated areas described in paragraph (a) of this section when they
are subject to enforcement, unless authorized by the COTP or their
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 877-722-5727.
Those in the special regulated area must comply with all lawful orders
or directions given to them by the COTP or the COTP's designated
representative.
(3) The COTP will provide advance notice of the enforcement periods
of each of the regulated areas via broadcast notice to mariners and by
on-scene designated representatives.
(d) Effective dates. This section will be in effect from June 12-
14, 2026.
Peggy M. Britton,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Sector Virginia.
[FR Doc. 2026-10156 Filed 5-20-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on May 21, 2026.
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