Rule2026-10612
Special Local Regulation; Sail Grand Prix, Upper Bay, New York City, NY
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 28, 2026
Effective
May 30, 2026
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary special local regulation (SLR) for certain waters of the Upper Bay of New York Harbor. The SLR is needed to provide for the safety of life to mitigate the dangers associated with a high-speed sailboat race. This proposed rulemaking temporarily prohibits persons and vessels from entering, transiting through, blocking, or loitering within the "Event Area", unless authorized by the Captain of the Port New York or a designated representative.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 102 (Thursday, May 28, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 102 (Thursday, May 28, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31662-31664]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-10612]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 100
[Docket Number USCG-2026-0096]
RIN 1625-AA08
Special Local Regulation; Sail Grand Prix, Upper Bay, New York
City, NY
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 waters of the Upper Bay of New York
Harbor. The SLR is needed to provide for the safety of life to mitigate
the dangers associated with a high-speed sailboat race. This proposed
rulemaking temporarily prohibits persons and vessels from entering,
transiting through, blocking, or loitering within the ``Event Area'',
unless authorized by the Captain of the Port New York or a designated
representative.
DATES: This rule is effective from noon on May 30, 2026, through 6:30
p.m. on May 31, 2026. The rule will only be enforced, however, from
noon until 6:30 p.m. on Saturday May 30, 2026, and from noon until 6:30
p.m. on Sunday, May 31, 2026.
ADDRESSES: To view available documents go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and search for USCG-2026-0096.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this rule,
contact MSTC Sean Fitzgerald, Sector New York Waterways Management
Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 718-801-2932, or email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#de8dbbbdaab1ac90878989939eabadbdb9f0b3b7b2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fdae989e89928fb3a4aaaab0bd888e9e9ad3909491">[email protected]</span></a>.
[[Page 31663]]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Table of Abbreviations
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port, New York
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
Sail GP Sail Grand Prix
Sec. Section
SLR Special Local Regulation
U.S.C. United States Code
II. Background and Authority
On January 15, 2026, the Coast Guard received an application for a
marine event permit under 33 CFR 100.15 to conduct Sail Grand Prix
(Sail GP) 2026 in the Upper Bay of New York Harbor. The event will be
held from noon until 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 30, 2026, and again,
from noon until 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 31, 2026. The race features 12
high-speed F50 catamaran teams racing at speeds of up to 60 mph,
hundreds of spectator vessels, and thousands of spectators.
The Captain of the Port, New York (COTP) has determined that due to
the high-profile nature of this event, the presence of spectator
vessels, event support vessels, and race participants operating in
close proximity to each other at high speeds, there is an increased
potential of collision and allision hazards. The hazards associated
with the race itself and the race location are a safety concern for
anyone within the ``Race Area'' and adjacent navigable waters. To
mitigate those dangers, and having issued a marine event permit, the
COTP is issuing this Special Local Regulation (SLR) under the authority
in 46 U.S.C. 70041.
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. The Coast Guard does not have enough time to solicit and
respond to comments.
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
The Coast Guard is establishing a Special Local Regulation (SLR) in
the Upper Bay of New York Harbor from noon on Saturday, May 30, 2026,
through 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 31, 2026.
In the event that weather conditions prevent or delay a safe race
start, the public will be notified of changes to the enforcement period
through marine broadcasts, local notices to mariners, or by on-scene
designated representatives. The areas regulated by this SLR lie between
Governors Island, Ellis Island, and Liberty Island and cover all
navigable waters, from surface to bottom, as more specifically defined
in the regulatory text below. The Sail GP Sponsor will mark the
regulated areas via colored visual markers. The regulated area will
include a ``Transit Only Area'' and an ``Event Area''. No vessel or
person will be permitted to enter the ``Event Area'' without obtaining
permission from the COTP or their designated representative.
Within the ``Event Area'', the event sponsor will establish a
smaller, dynamic ``Race Area'' based on prevailing weather conditions.
The location and boundaries of the ``Race Area'' are subject to change
and will be demarcated by on-scene assets, colored markers, and
announced by the event sponsor. The ``Race Area'' is restricted to
registered race participants and official safety and support personnel.
All other persons and vessels are prohibited from entering, transiting,
or remaining in the ``Race Area''. All waters within the ``Event Area''
not designated as the ``Race Area'' will be considered the ``Spectator
Area''. Spectators and their vessels must remain in the ``Spectator
Area'' and are responsible for maneuvering to avoid the changing ``Race
Area''.
IV. Regulatory Analyses
The Coast Guard developed this rule after considering numerous
statutes and Executive Orders related to rulemaking. Below is a summary
of the Coast Guard's 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
The Coast Guard has analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13132,
Federalism, and has 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
The Coast Guard has 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 has
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. A Record of
Environmental Consideration supporting this determination is available
in the docket.
[[Page 31664]]
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 100
Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, 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.T0199-0096 to read as follows:
Sec. 100.T0199-0096 Special Local Regulation; Upper Bay, New York
City, NY.
(a) Regulated areas. (1) ``Event Area''--Location. This special
local regulation applies to the following area: all waters of the Upper
Bay of New York Harbor, from surface to bottom, encompassed by a line
connecting the following points beginning at 40[deg]41'49.68'' N
74[deg]02'2.28'' W; thence to 40[deg]41'49.74'' N 74[deg]01'23.64'' W;
thence to 40[deg]41'43.140'' N 74[deg]1'9.00 W; thence to
40[deg]41'43.140'' N, 074[deg]01'08.996'' W; thence to
40[deg]41'35.616'' N, 074[deg]01'10.011'' W; thence along the shore to
40[deg]41'02.594'' N, 074[deg]01'24.182'' W; thence to
40[deg]40'47.760'' N 74[deg]1'43.200'' W thence to 40[deg]40'38.460'' N
74[deg]2'0.420'' W; thence to 40[deg]40'38.940'' N 74[deg]2'45.000'' W;
thence to 40[deg]41'2.040'' N 74[deg]2'24.720'' W; thence to
40[deg]41'13.080'' N 74[deg]2'24.360'' W; thence to 40[deg]41'35.820''
N 74[deg]2'15.600'' W and thence back to the point of origin. Positions
provided are expressed in Degrees ([deg]) Minutes (') Seconds ('')
(DMS) based on North American Datum 1983 (NAD 83).
(2) ``Transit Only Area''--Location. All navigable waters of the
Upper Bay of New York Harbor, from surface to bottom, encompassed by a
line connecting the following points beginning at 40[deg]41'49.68'' N
74[deg]02' 11.21'' W; thence 40[deg]41'49.68'' N 74[deg]02'02.28'' W;
thence to 40[deg]41'35.28'' N 74[deg]02'15.6'' W; thence to
40[deg]41'13.08'' N 74[deg]02'24.36'' W; thence to 40[deg]41'02.04'' N
74[deg]02'24.72'' W; thence to 40[deg]40'38.94'' N 74[deg]02'45.00'' W;
thence to 40[deg]40'38.94'' N 74[deg]02'54.18'' W; thence to
40[deg]41'02.04'' N 74[deg]02'33.83'' W; thence to 40[deg]41'13.08'' N
74[deg]02'33.48'' W; thence to 40[deg]41'35.82'' N 74[deg]02'24.68'' W;
thence back to the point of origin.
(3) ``Race Area''--Location. All navigable waters of the Upper Bay
of New York Harbor, from surface to bottom, which will be demarcated by
visual markers and on scene race control vessels within the ``Event
Area'' designated in paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
(4) ``Spectator Area''--Location. All navigable waters of the Upper
Bay of New York Harbor, from surface to bottom, within the ``Event
Area'' as described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section outside of the
``Race Area''.
(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 COTP in the enforcement of the special
local regulation.
Participant means all persons and vessels registered with the event
sponsor as a participant in the race.
Spectator means any person or vessel, which is not designated by
the sponsor as a support vessel or participant, in the vicinity of the
event with the primary purpose of witnessing the event. Spectator
vessels can observe the marine event from the designated ``Spectator
Area''.
(c) Regulations. (1) No vessel shall enter the ``Event Area''
described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section unless authorized by the
COTP or their designated representative.
(2) No vessels within the ``Event Area'', except participants and
official safety and support personnel, shall enter the ``Race Area'' as
described in paragraph (a)(3) of this section unless authorized by the
COTP or their designated representative. The event sponsor will
demarcate the exterior perimeter of the ``Race Area'' by colored
markers and on scene assets. The COTP or their designated
representative may restrict the number of vessels allowed within the
``Spectator Area'' to prevent overcrowding and ensure safe navigation.
Once the COTP or their designated representative determines that the
``Spectator Area'' has reached a safe capacity, no additional vessels
will be allowed to enter unless specifically authorized by the COTP or
their designated representative.
(3) No vessels may stop, loiter, remain, or anchor in the ``Transit
Only Area'' described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section during the
period of enforcement.
(4) To seek permission to enter the ``Event Area'', contact the
COTP or the COTP's representative on VHF-FM channel 16. 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) Effective and enforcement periods. (1) This section is
effective from noon on May 30, 2026, through 6:30 p.m. on May 31, 2026.
The rule will only be enforced, however, from noon until 6:30 p.m. on
Saturday, May 30, 2026, and from noon until 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, May
31, 2026.
(2) In the event that weather conditions prohibit a safe race start
or causing delays, the public will be notified of changes to the
enforcement period as described in paragraph (d)(1) of this section
through marine broadcasts, local notices to mariners, or by on-scene
designated representatives.
Jonathan A. Andrechik,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Sector New York.
[FR Doc. 2026-10612 Filed 5-27-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on May 28, 2026.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.