Special Local Regulation; Ponce Harbor, Ponce, PR

Issuing agencies

Abstract

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary special local regulation (SLR) for certain waters within the Bahia de Ponce, Ponce, PR. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters near Ponce, PR during the Discover the Caribbean Regatta 2026 event to be held October 30, 2026, through November 1, 2026, and November 14, 2026, through November 15, 2026. This regulation prohibits persons and vessels from entering the regulated area unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port San Juan or their designated representative.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 200 (Monday, October 19, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 200 (Monday, October 19, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65984-65985]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-21302]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 100

[Docket Number USCG-2026-1221]
RIN 1625-AA08


Special Local Regulation; Ponce Harbor, Ponce, PR

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 within the Bahia de Ponce, Ponce, 
PR. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these 
navigable waters near Ponce, PR during the Discover the Caribbean 
Regatta 2026 event to be held October 30, 2026, through November 1, 
2026, and November 14, 2026, through November 15, 2026. This regulation 
prohibits persons and vessels from entering the regulated area unless 
specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port San Juan or their 
designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from October 30, 2026, through November 
15, 2026. The temporary special local regulations will be enforced on 
October 30, 2026, through November 1, 2026, and on November 14, 2026, 
through November 15, 2026, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily.

ADDRESSES: To view available documents go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and search for USCG-2026-1221.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this rule, 
contact Lieutenant Commander Rachel E. Thomas, Sector San Juan, 
Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 571-613-
1417; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f8aa999b909d94d6bdd6ac909795998bb88d8b9b9fd6959194"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="481a292b202d24660d661c202725293b083d3b2b2f66252124">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port
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

    The Coast Guard received a request under 33 CFR 100.15 from an 
organization regarding the Discover the Caribbean Regatta 2026, hosted 
by the Ponce Yacht and Fishing Club. The event is scheduled to take 
place on October 30, 2026, through November 1, 2026, and November 14, 
2026, through November 15, 2026, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day. The 
designated event includes specific waters within Ponce Harbor and is 
expected to involve approximately 100 participants and 10 spectator 
vessels.
    The Captain of the Port San Juan (COTP) is issuing this Special 
Local Regulation (SLR) under the authority in 46 U.S.C. 70041. The COTP 
has determined that potential hazards associated with the regatta poses 
potential safety concerns for individuals and vessels within the 
regulated area. Additional risks, such as sudden weather changes and 
shifting currents, further heighten the likelihood of collisions and 
other safety issues due to the increased maritime traffic. The purpose 
of this rulemaking is to protect event participants, non-participants, 
and transiting vessels before, during, and after the scheduled event.
    Because of these potential hazards, 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 and contrary to the public interest. 
The Coast Guard must establish this SLR by October 30, 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 on October 30, 2026, through 
November 1, 2026, and on November 14, 2026 through November 15, 2026, 
from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily. The special local regulation will cover 
navigable waters within the Ponce Harbor. 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.

[[Page 65985]]

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 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.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 100

    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 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.T07-1221 to read as follows:


Sec.  100.T07-1221  Special Local Regulation; Ponce Harbor, Ponce, PR.

    (a) Location. This special local regulation applies to all waters 
Bahia de Ponce, from surface to bottom, as follows: Race area 1: within 
the box from Point 1 at 17[deg] 58'17.05'' N, -66[deg]37'28.42'' W, 
thence north to Point 2 at 17[deg]58'36.69'' N, -66[deg]37'25.53'' W, 
thence west to Point 3 at 17[deg]58'34.22'' N, -66[deg]39'6.06'' W, 
thence southwest to Point 4 at 17[deg]58'19.80'' N, -66[deg]39'16.43'' 
W, and along the shoreline back to the beginning Point 1. Race Area 2: 
within a radius of 1,200 yards from Point 17[deg]57'2.56'' N, -
66[deg]36'56.99'' W.
    (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 San Juan (COTP) in the enforcement of the 
regulated area. Participant means all persons and 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 areas 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 or by telephone at (787) 729-2380. 
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 on October 
30, 2026, through November 1, 2026, and on November 14, 2026, through 
November 15, 2026, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily.

Luis J. Rodr[iacute]guez,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector San Juan.
[FR Doc. 2026-21302 Filed 10-16-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


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