Safety Zone: Piers Park, Boston Inner Harbor, East Boston MA

Issuing agencies

Abstract

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for a portion of the navigable waters of Boston Inner Harbor, in the vicinity of Piers Park, East Boston, Massachusetts. The temporary safety zone is needed to protect the maritime public and event participants from potential hazards created by a swim event taking place in a heavily trafficked portion of the harbor scheduled for September 13, 2026. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Boston, or a designated representative.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 161 (Friday, August 21, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 161 (Friday, August 21, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54225-54226]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-17098]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2026-0024]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone: Piers Park, Boston Inner Harbor, East Boston MA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for a 
portion of the navigable waters of Boston Inner Harbor, in the vicinity 
of Piers Park, East Boston, Massachusetts. The temporary safety zone is 
needed to protect the maritime public and event participants from 
potential hazards created by a swim event taking place in a heavily 
trafficked portion of the harbor scheduled for September 13, 2026. 
Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless 
specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Boston, or a 
designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from 7 a.m. through noon on September 13, 
2026.

ADDRESSES: To view available documents, go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and search for USCG-2026-0024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule, 
call or email Mr. Timothy W. Chase, Sector Boston, Waterways 
Management, telephone (617) 447-1620, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#55013c383a213d2c7b027b163d34263015202636327b383c39"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fbaf9296948f9382d5acd5b8939a889ebb8e88989cd5969297">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port, Sector Boston
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
Sec.  Section
U.S.C. United States Code

II. Background and Authority

    On July 13, 2026, the Coast Guard received notification that a swim 
event would be taking place in a heavily trafficked portion of Boston 
Inner Harbor in the vicinity of Piers Park, East Boston, Massachusetts. 
The Captain of the Port (COTP) Boston has determined that potential 
hazards associated with this swim event, such as collisions between 
swimmers and watercraft, are a safety concern for anyone within the 
designated event area. Therefore, the COTP is issuing this rule under 
the authority in 46 U.S.C. 70034, which is needed to protect 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 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. We do not have enough time to solicit and respond to 
comments, and publish a final rule by September 13, 2026.
    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 7 a.m. through noon on 
September 13, 2026. The safety zone will cover all the navigable waters 
of a portion of Boston Inner Harbor in the vicinity of Piers Park, East 
Boston, specifically within a box bound by the following coordinates: 
Corner #1 42[deg]21'41.22'' N, 071[deg]2'22.6'' W, thence to Corner #2 
42[deg]21'26.53'' N, 071[deg]2'32.28'' W, thence to Corner #3 
42[deg]21'2.59'' N, 071[deg]1'32.92'' W, thence to Corner #4 
42[deg]21'13.14'' N, 071[deg]1'24.6'' W, and returning to the point of 
origin. Positions provided are expressed in Degrees ([deg]) Minutes (') 
Seconds ('') (DMS) based on North American Datum 1983 (NAD 83). The 
duration of the zone is intended to protect event participants and 
support personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in these 
navigable waters during the swim event. No vessel or person will be 
permitted to enter the safety zone without obtaining permission from 
the COTP or a designated representative.
    Requests to enter the zone will be considered and reviewed on a 
case-by-case basis. The COTP may be contacted by telephone at (856) 
416-3015 or can be reached by VHF-FM channel 16.

[[Page 54226]]

Persons and vessels permitted to enter this safety zone must transit at 
their slowest safe speed to minimize wake and comply with all lawful 
directions issued by the COTP or the designated representative.

V. 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

    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, 
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 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; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4.


0
2. Add Sec.  165.T01-0024 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T01-0024  Safety Zone; Piers Park, Boston Inner Harbor, East 
Boston MA.

    (a) Regulated area. The following area is a safety zone: all 
navigable waters of a portion of Boston Inner Harbor in the vicinity of 
Piers Park, East Boston, specifically within a box bound by the 
following coordinates: Corner #1 42[deg]21'41.22'' N, 071[deg]2'22.6'' 
W, thence to Corner #2 42[deg]21'26.53'' N, 071[deg]2'32.28'' W, thence 
to Corner #3 42[deg]21'2.59'' N, 071[deg]1'32.92'' W, thence to Corner 
#4 42[deg]21'13.14'' N, 071[deg]1'24.6'' W, and returning to the point 
of origin. Positions provided are expressed in Degrees ([deg]) Minutes 
(') Seconds ('') (DMS) based on North American Datum 1983 (NAD 83).
    (b) Definitions. As used in this section--
    (1) 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 Boston 
(COTP) in the enforcement of the regulations in this section.
    (2) Participant means all persons registered with the event sponsor 
as a participant in the event.
    (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 
designated via VHF-FM Marine Channel 16 or by contacting the Coast 
Guard Sector Boston Command Center 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.
    (3) The COTP or a designated representative will inform the public 
of the enforcement period for the regulated area as well as any changes 
of the enforcement times through local notice to mariners, Broadcast 
Notices to Mariners, or both, via VHF-FM marine channel 16.
    (d) Enforcement period: This section will be enforced from 7 a.m. 
through noon on September 13, 2026.

    Dated: August 18, 2026.
J.J. Schock,
Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Captain of the Port Sector Boston.
[FR Doc. 2026-17098 Filed 8-20-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


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