Proposed Rule2026-19430
Safety Zone; Massachusetts Bay, Boston, MA
Primary source
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Published
September 23, 2026
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a temporary safety zone for a certain navigable water of Massachusetts Bay, 22 miles northeast of Boston, MA. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the maritime public from potential hazards created by subsea demolition operations. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from entering the safety zone unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Boston or a designated representative. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 183 (Wednesday, September 23, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 183 (Wednesday, September 23, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 60347-60349]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-19430]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[Docket Number USCG-2026-1071]
RIN 1625-AA00
Safety Zone; Massachusetts Bay, Boston, MA
AGENCY: Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a temporary safety
zone for a certain navigable water of Massachusetts Bay, 22 miles
northeast of Boston, MA. The safety zone is needed to protect
personnel, vessels, and the maritime public from potential hazards
created by subsea demolition operations. This proposed rulemaking would
prohibit persons and vessels from entering the safety zone unless
specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Boston or a
designated representative. We invite your comments on this proposed
rulemaking.
DATES: Comments and related material must be received by the Coast
Guard on or before October 23, 2026.
ADDRESSES: To submit comments and view available documents, go to
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and search for USCG-2026-1071.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this
proposed rule, contact Mr. Timothy W. Chase, Sector Boston Waterways
Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone (617) 447-1620, or
email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f3a79a9e9c879b8add84dd909b928096b386809094dd9e9a9f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2f7b4642405b47560158014c474e5c4a6f5a5c4c4801424643">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Table of Abbreviations
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port, Sector Boston
MA Massachusetts
MARAD Maritime Administration
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
TFR Temporary Final Rule
Sec. Section
U.S.C. United States Code
II. Background and Authority
On August 7, 2026, Neptune LNG LLC notified the Coast Guard that
final approval was granted by the Maritime Administration (MARAD) to
conduct decommissioning efforts of the Neptune LNG LLC Deepwater Port
in Massachusetts Bay, located approximately 22 miles northeast of
Boston, Massachusetts. The project is extensive and will require
specialized equipment utilized by divers working on the sea floor. The
planned physical removal framework involves taking out two submerged
turret loading buoys, three transition manifolds, 16 wire rope and
chain mooring lines and connecting infrastructure while partially
abandoning buried pipeline in place. The Captain of the Port (COTP)
Sector Boston has determined that potential hazards associated with
complex subsea demolition are a safety concern for anyone within a 500-
meter radius of the decommissioning activities. The COTP is proposing
this rule under the authority in 46 U.S.C. 70034 to protect personnel,
vessels, and the marine environment in the navigable waters within the
safety zone.
III. Discussion of the Rule
This proposed rule would establish a safety zone from 11:59 p.m.
February 28, 2027, through 8 a.m. September 30, 2027. The safety zone
will cover all the navigable waters of the Massachusetts Bay in a 500-
meter radius of position approximate 42[deg]28'52.1'' N,
070[deg]46'16.9''
[[Page 60348]]
W, which is approximately 22 miles northeast of Boston, MA. The
duration of the zone is intended to protect the maritime public, marine
contractors, deep-sea divers and their support vessels conducting the
decommissioning of the Neptune deepwater port facility. Support vessels
used by the contractor will include a 140-meter construction vessel,
multiple tugs and barges, underwater remote operated vehicles, and
divers to conduct the operation. No vessel or person will be permitted
to enter the safety zone without obtaining permission from the COTP or
a designated representative.
This rule will remain in effect through September 30, 2027, which
should accommodate the possibility of project delays due to unforeseen
circumstances. If the project is completed before September 30, 2027,
enforcement of the safety zone will be suspended, and notice will be
provided via the Local Notice to Mariners.
The Coast Guard Northeast District Local Notice to Mariners can be
found at: <a href="https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/maritime-safety-information">https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/maritime-safety-information</a>.
The regulatory text we are proposing appears at the end of this
document.
IV. Regulatory Analyses
We developed this proposed 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 Act of 1980, 5 U.S.C. 601-612, as
amended, requires Federal agencies to consider the potential impact of
regulations on small entities during rulemaking. The term ``small
entities'' comprises small businesses, not-for-profit organizations
that are independently owned and operated and are not dominant in their
fields, and governmental jurisdictions with populations of less than
50,000. Section 605 of the RFA allows an agency to certify a rule, in
lieu of preparing an analysis, if the rulemaking is not expected to
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities. The Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this
proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities for the following reasons.
Vessel traffic will be able to safely transit around this regulated
area. This regulation will only impact a small area of Massachusetts
Bay. In addition, the Coast Guard will issue a Broadcast Notice to
Mariners via VHF FM marine channel 16, which will allow small entities
to adjust their transit plans, and the rule allows vessels to request
permission to enter the regulated area from the COTP.
If you think that your business, organization, or governmental
jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this proposed rule
would have a significant economic impact on it, please submit a comment
(see ADDRESSES) explaining why you think it qualifies, and how and to
what degree this proposed rule would economically affect it.
Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), if this proposed 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).
B. Collection of Information
This proposed 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 proposed 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 proposed 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 proposed 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 proposed 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 proposed 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 is available for viewing in the docket.
V. Public Participation and Request for Comments
We view public participation as essential to effective rulemaking
and will consider all comments and material received during the comment
period. Your comment can help shape the outcome of this rulemaking. If
you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this
rulemaking, indicate the specific section of this document to which
each comment applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or
recommendation.
Submitting comments. We encourage you to submit comments at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. To do so, go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, type
USCG-2026-1071 in the search box and click ``Search.'' Next, look for
this document in the Search Results column, and click on it. Then click
on the Comment option. If you cannot submit your material by using
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, call or email the person in the FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this proposed rule for alternate
instructions.
Viewing material in the docket. To view available documents, find
the docket as described in the previous paragraph, and then select
``Supporting & Related Material'' in the Document Type column. We will
post public comments in our online docket. Additional information is on
the <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> Frequently Asked Questions web page.
Personal information. We accept anonymous comments. Comments we
post to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> will include any personal
information you have provided. For more about privacy and submissions
to the docket in response to this document, see DHS's
[[Page 60349]]
eRulemaking System of Records notice (85 FR 14226, March 11, 2020).
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 is
proposing to amend 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.T01-1071 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T01-1071 Safety Zone; Massachusetts Bay, Boston MA.
(a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: all navigable
waters of a portion of Massachusetts Bay in a 500-meter radius of
position approximate 42[deg]28'52.1'' N, 070[deg]46'16.9'' W
approximately 22 miles northeast of Boston, MA. 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, 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
safety zone.
(c) Regulations. (1) Under the general safety zone regulations in
paragraph (c) of this section, 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 telephone at (833) 449-0539.
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 section will be enforced from 11:59
p.m. February 28, 2027, through 8 a.m. September 30, 2027. If the
project this safety zone supports is completed before September 30,
2027, enforcement of the safety zone will be suspended, and notice will
be provided via the Local Notice to Mariners.
Dated: September 18, 2026.
J.C. Frederick,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector Boston.
[FR Doc. 2026-19430 Filed 9-22-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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