Rule2026-15991
Safety Zone; Rockport Illuminations Fireworks, Rockport Harbor, Rockport, MA
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
August 6, 2026
Effective
August 8, 2026
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for the navigable waters of Rockport Harbor, Rockport, MA within a 350-yard radius of the land-based Rockport Illuminations Fireworks launch site. The safety zone is needed to protect spectators, personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards associated with the firework displays. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Boston, or their designated representative.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 150 (Thursday, August 6, 2026)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 150 (Thursday, August 6, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50717-50719]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-15991]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[Docket Number USCG-2026-0737]
RIN 1625-AA00
Safety Zone; Rockport Illuminations Fireworks, Rockport Harbor,
Rockport, MA
AGENCY: Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security.
ACTION: Temporary final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for
the navigable waters of Rockport Harbor, Rockport, MA within a 350-yard
radius of the land-based Rockport Illuminations Fireworks launch site.
The safety zone is needed to protect spectators, personnel, vessels,
and the marine environment from potential hazards associated with the
firework displays. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is
prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port,
Sector Boston, or their designated representative.
DATES: This rule is effective from 8 p.m. on August 8, 2026, through 10
p.m. on August 9, 2026. It will only be enforced, however, from 8 p.m.
until 10 p.m. on August 8, 2026, unless the event is delayed because of
weather conditions, in which case it will be subject to enforcement
during those same hours on August 9, 2026.
ADDRESSES: To view available documents, go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and search for USCG 2026-0737.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this rule,
call
[[Page 50718]]
or email Mr. Timothy W. Chase, Sector Boston Waterways Management,
phone (617) 447-1620, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f1a5989c9e859988df86df9299908294b184829296df9c989d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ca9ea3a7a5bea2b3e4bde4a9a2abb9af8abfb9a9ade4a7a3a6">[email protected]</span></a> or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4a190f090805191d2b3e2f383d2b33390a3f39292d64272326"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="feadbbbdbcb1ada99f8a9b8c899f878dbe8b8d9d99d0939792">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Table of Abbreviations
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port, Boston
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
TFR Temporary Final Rule
MA Massachusetts
Sec. Section
U.S.C. United States Code
II. Background and Authority
On June 12, 2026, the Coast Guard received notification that
fireworks will be launched from a near shore land site in the vicinity
of Rockport Harbor, Rockport, MA. The Captain of the Port (COTP) Boston
has determined that potential hazards associated with the fireworks,
such as being hit by unexploded pyrotechnics and other falling debris,
are a safety concern for anyone within 350 yards of the fireworks
display. The COTP is issuing this rule under the authority of 46 U.S.C.
70034 to protect spectators, personnel, vessels, and the marine
environment in the navigable waters within the safety zone.
The Coast Guard is issuing this rule without prior notice and
comment. As 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 publish an NPRM, respond to comments, and publish a final rule
within the time since notification of the fireworks and August 8, when
the safety zone must be in place to protect spectators, personnel,
vessels, and the marine environment.
For the same reason, 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 safety zone from 8 p.m. on August 8, 2026,
through 10 p.m. on August 9, 2026. It will only be enforced, however,
from 8 p.m. until 10 p.m. August 8, 2026, unless the event is delayed
because of weather conditions, in which case it will be subject to
enforcement during those same hours on August 9, 2026. The safety zone
will cover all navigable waters in Rockport Harbor, Rockport, MA within
a 350-yard radius of the land-based launch site near shore at position
42[deg]39.99' N, 070[deg]37.25' W. Vessels and persons will not be
allowed to enter the zone during this time, unless authorized by the
COTP Boston.
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. Regulatory Planning and Review
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
A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132,
Federalism, if it has a substantial direct effect on the States, on the
relationship between the National Government and the States, or on the
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of
government. We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13132 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 safety zone. It is categorically excluded from
further review under paragraph L60(a) 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 165
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 165 as follows:
PART 165--REGULATED NAVIGATION AREAS AND LIMITED ACCESS AREAS
0
1. The authority citation for part 165 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 46 U.S.C. 70034, 70051, 70124; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-
1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No.
00170.1, Revision No. 01.4.
0
2. Add Sec. 165.T01-0737 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T01-0737 Safety Zone; Rockport Illuminations Fireworks,
Rockport Harbor, Rockport, MA.
(a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All waters of a
portion of Rockport Harbor, Rockport, MA, from
[[Page 50719]]
surface to bottom, encompassed by a 350-yard radius of the land-based
launch site near shore at position 42[deg]39.99' N, 070[deg]37.25' W.
These coordinates are based on the World Geodetic System (WGS 84)/North
American Datum 83 (NAD 83).
(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 Boston (COTP) in the enforcement of the safety
zone.
(c) Regulations. (1) Under the general safety zone regulations in
subpart C of this part, you may not enter the safety zone described in
paragraph (a) of this section unless authorized by the COTP or the
COTP's designated representative.
(2) To seek permission to enter, contact the COTP or the COTP's
representative on VHF-FM channel 16 or by contacting the Coast Guard
Sector Boston Command Center by telephone at (857) 416-3015. Those in
the safety zone must comply with all lawful orders or directions given
to them by the COTP or the COTP's designated representative.
(d) Enforcement period. This rule is effective from 8 p.m. on
August 8, 2026, through 10 p.m. on August 9, 2026. It will be enforced
from 8 p.m. until 10 p.m. on August 8, 2026, unless the event is
delayed because of weather conditions, in which case it will be subject
to enforcement during those same hours on August 9, 2026.
Date: July 24, 2026.
J.C. Frederick,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Sector Boston.
[FR Doc. 2026-15991 Filed 8-5-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on August 6, 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.