Rule2026-10883
Special Local Regulation; Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic City, NJ
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
June 1, 2026
Effective
June 27, 2026
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary special local regulation (SLR) for the navigable waters of the Atlantic Ocean, near Atlantic City, NJ. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters during an offshore boat race on June 27, 2026 and June 28, 2026. This regulation prohibits persons and vessels from entering the regulated area unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Delaware Bay or their designated representative.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 104 (Monday, June 1, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 104 (Monday, June 1, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32352-32354]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-10883]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 100
[Docket Number USCG-2026-0409]
RIN 1625-AA08
Special Local Regulation; Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic City, NJ
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 the navigable waters of the Atlantic Ocean, near
Atlantic City, NJ. This action is necessary to provide for the safety
of life on these navigable waters during an offshore boat race on June
27, 2026 and June 28, 2026. This regulation prohibits persons and
vessels from entering the regulated area unless specifically authorized
by the Captain of the Port Delaware Bay or their designated
representative.
DATES: This rule is effective from 10 a.m. on June 27, 2026 until 6
p.m. on June 28, 2026. It will only be subject to enforcement, however,
between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on each of those two days.
ADDRESSES: To view documents referred to as being available in the
docket, go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and search for USCG-2026-
0409.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this rule,
contact MST2 Dominick Dobridge, Waterways Management Division, Sector
Delaware Bay, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone (206) 815-6688, option 3;
email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a1f2c4c2e5c4cde3c0d8f6f6ece1d4d2c2c68fccc8cd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7526101631101937140c22223835000616125b181c19">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Table of Abbreviations
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port, Sector Delaware Bay
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
On March 2, 2026, Race World Offshore submitted an application to
the Coast Guard under 33 CFR 100.15 for a marine event permit. The
application requests permission to host an offshore powerboat grand
prix on a 4-mile long course on June 27, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.,
and during those same hours on June 28, 2026. The event will be held in
the Atlantic Ocean, off Atlantic City, NJ and will include
approximately 50 participants.
The COTP has determined that the offshore boat race could pose a
risk to participants or waterway users if normal vessel traffic were
allowed to interfere with the event. Possible hazards include risks of
participant injury or death from near or actual collisions with
spectators, and non-participant vessels transiting the area where the
event will take place. Having approved the application for a marine
event permit, the Captain of the Port, Delaware Bay (COTP) is issuing
this Special Local Regulation (SLR) under authority in 46 U.S.C. 70041
and 33 CFR 100.35(a). The purpose of this rulemaking is to protect
event participants, spectators, 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. The Coast Guard was notified of this event on March 2,
2026, but we must establish this SLR by June 27, 2026, to protect
personnel, vessels, and the marine environment. Therefore, we have do
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
This rule establishes a temporary SLR from 10 a.m. on June 27, 2026
until 6 p.m. on June 28, 2026. The regulated area will cover all
navigable waters of
[[Page 32353]]
the Atlantic Ocean near Atlantic City, NJ, within a polygon bounded by
the following: originating on the shore line at approximate position
latitude 39[deg]21'51'' N longitude 074[deg]24'26'' W; thence southeast
to approximate position 39[deg]20'43'' N longitude 074[deg]24'04'' W
thence southwest to approximate position to latitude 39[deg]20'03'' N,
longitude 074[deg]26'29'' W; thence northwest to the shoreline at
approximate position latitude 39[deg]20'49'' N, longitude
074[deg]27'05'' W; thence northeast along the shoreline to the point of
origin.
Inside of the regulated area detailed above, there is a spectator
area reserved for non-participant vessels to watch the event. The
spectator area is within a polygon bounded by the following: beginning
at approximate position latitude 39[deg]20'45'' N, longitude
074[deg]25'33'' W; thence northeast to approximate position latitude
39[deg]21'00'' N, longitude 074[deg]24'44'' W; thence southeast to
approximate position latitude 39[deg]20'50'' N, longitude
074[deg]24'39'' W; thence southwest to approximate position latitude
39[deg]20'35'' N, longitude 074[deg]25'28'' W; thence northwest to the
point of origin. 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. 4321-4370f), 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. A Record of
Environmental Consideration supporting this determination is available
in the docket.
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.T599-0409 to read as follows:
Sec. 100.T599-0409 Special Local Regulation; Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic
City, NJ.
(a) Location. This special local regulation applies to the
following area:
(1) Regulated Area. All navigable waters of Atlantic Ocean near
Atlantic City, NJ, within a polygon bounded by the following:
originating on the shore line at approximate position latitude
39[deg]21'51'' N longitude 074[deg]24'26'' W; thence southeast to
approximate position 39[deg]20'43'' N longitude 074[deg]24'04'' W;
thence southwest to approximate position to latitude 39[deg]20'03'' N,
longitude 074[deg]26'29'' W; thence northwest to the shoreline at
approximate position latitude 39[deg]20'49'' N, longitude
074[deg]27'05'' W; thence northeast along the shoreline to the point of
origin. These coordinates are based on World Geodetic System (WGS 84).
(2) Spectator area. All navigable waters of Atlantic Ocean near
Atlantic City, NJ, within a polygon inside the regulated area bounded
by the following: beginning at approximate position latitude
39[deg]20'45'' N, longitude 074[deg]25'33'' W; thence northeast to
approximate position latitude 39[deg]21'00'' N, longitude
074[deg]24'44'' W; thence southeast to approximate position latitude
39[deg]20'50'' N, longitude 074[deg]24'39'' W; thence southwest to
approximate position latitude 39[deg]20'35'' N, longitude
074[deg]25'28'' W; thence northwest to the point of origin. These
coordinates are based on 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 Delaware Bay (COTP) in the enforcement of
the regulated area. Participant means all persons and
[[Page 32354]]
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. 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 periods. This section will be enforced from 10 a.m.
to 6 p.m. on June 27, 2026 and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on June 28, 2026.
Dated: May 19, 2026.
Kate F. Higgins-Bloom,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Sector Delaware Bay.
[FR Doc. 2026-10883 Filed 5-29-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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