Rule2026-10158
Special Local Regulation; Battle of the Boats; 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 6, 2026
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary special local regulation (SLR) for navigable waters of the York River. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters near Yorktown, VA during a high speed boat race and docking contest. This regulation prohibits persons and vessels from entering the regulated area unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Virginia (COTP) or their 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 29904-29905]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-10158]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 100
[Docket Number USCG-2026-0607]
RIN 1625-AA08
Special Local Regulation; Battle of the Boats; 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 navigable waters of the York River. This action is
necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters
near Yorktown, VA during a high speed boat race and docking contest.
This regulation prohibits persons and vessels from entering the
regulated area unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the
Port Virginia (COTP) or their designated representative.
DATES: This rule is effective June 6-7, 2026, from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.
each day.
ADDRESSES: To view available documents go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and search for USCG-2026-0607.
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#2a7c43584d4344434b7d4b534f585d4b53596a5f59494d04474346"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="baecd3c8ddd3d4d3dbeddbc3dfc8cddbc3c9facfc9d9dd94d7d3d6">[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).
On April 30, 2026, the sponsor of an event entitled ``Battle of the
Boats'' notified the Coast Guard that, on June 6 & 7, 2026, from 11
a.m. until 6 p.m. each day, they planned to sponsor a high speed boat
race and boat docking contest. The COTP is issuing this Special Local
Regulation (SLR) under the authority in 46 U.S.C. 70041. 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. The purpose of this
rulemaking is to protect event participants, non-participants, and
transiting vessels before, during, and after the scheduled event.
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 it is to issue a final rule by June 6.
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 a temporary SLR from June 6-7, 2026. The SLR
will only be subject to enforcement, however, from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.
each day, when the events are taking place. The SLR 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 June 6, 2026, where the event
sponsor plans to host 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 June 7, 2026, for a boat docking contest.
[[Page 29905]]
No vessel or person will be permitted to enter the regulated area
without obtaining permission from the COTP or their designated
representative.
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.T05-0607 to read as follows:
Sec. 100.T05-0607 Special Local Regulation; Battle of the Boats; York
River, Yorktown, VA
(a) Location. This special local regulation applies to the
following regulated area: 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. These coordinates are based on the World
Geodetic System (WGS 84).
(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. Participant means all persons and vessels 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 area described in paragraph (a) of this section 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 regulated area 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 from 11 a.m.
to 6 p.m. on June 6, 2026 and during those same hours on June 7, 2026.
Peggy M. Britton,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Sector Virginia.
[FR Doc. 2026-10158 Filed 5-20-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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