Special Local Regulation; Atlantic Ocean, Key West, FL

Issuing agencies

Abstract

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary special local regulation (SLR) for the navigable waters of the Atlantic Ocean surrounding the Key West Main Shipping Channel and the waters between Sunset Key and Wisteria Island. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters near Key West, FL during the Race World Offshore World Championship 2026 event beginning on November 4, 2026, and ending on November 8, 2026. This regulation prohibits persons and vessels from entering the regulated area unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Key West or their designated representative.

Full Text

<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 212 (Wednesday, November 4, 2026)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 212 (Wednesday, November 4, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 69501-69503]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-22468]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 100

[Docket Number USCG-2026-1264]
RIN 1625-AA08


Special Local Regulation; Atlantic Ocean, Key West, FL

AGENCY: Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 69502]]

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary special local 
regulation (SLR) for the navigable waters of the Atlantic Ocean 
surrounding the Key West Main Shipping Channel and the waters between 
Sunset Key and Wisteria Island. This action is necessary to provide for 
the safety of life on these navigable waters near Key West, FL during 
the Race World Offshore World Championship 2026 event beginning on 
November 4, 2026, and ending on November 8, 2026. This regulation 
prohibits persons and vessels from entering the regulated area unless 
specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Key West or their 
designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from 9:00 a.m. on November 4, 2026, 
through 6 p.m. on November 8, 2026.

ADDRESSES: To view available documents go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and search for USCG-2026-1264.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this rule, 
contact MSTC Mathew Mason, Sector Key West Waterways Management 
Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 305-292-8823, or email 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2c614d5844495b027e02614d5f43426c595f4f4b02414540"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7c311d0814190b522e52311d0f13123c090f1f1b52111510">[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

    On August 5, 2026, an organization notified the Coast Guard that 
they will sponsor a high-speed powerboat race. The Coast Guard received 
a request under 33 CFR 100.15 from the Race World Offshore Organization 
for a Marine Event Permit to host a high-speed powerboat race within 
the Key West Main Shipping Channel. The event will be held from 9:00 
a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on November 4, 6, and 8, 2026, in Key West, FL. 
The races will include approximately 80 participants and 300 spectator 
craft.
    The Captain of the Port Key West (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 operation of 
vessels at high speeds include the possibility of collision within the 
navigable channel, as well as the possibility that participants 
operating within approaches to local public and private boat facilities 
might collide with or otherwise interfere with boaters near those 
facilities. The purpose of this rulemaking is to protect event 
participants, spectators, 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 was notified of the final details of the event 
concerning spectator locations and confirming event boundaries until 
October 29, 2026, but we must establish this SLR by November 4, 2026, 
to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment. Therefore, 
we 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 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 
p.m. on November 4, 6, and 8, 2026. The special local regulation will 
cover all navigable waters within 800 feet of the Racecourse and the 
navigable waters extending outward 300 feet from the North shoreline of 
Sunset Key. 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 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.

[[Page 69503]]

    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 100.T07-1264 to read as follows:


Sec.  100.T07-1264   Special Local Regulation; Main Shipping Channel, 
Key West, FL.

    (a) Location. This special local regulation applies to the 
following regulated areas: all navigable waters extending 800 feet 
outward from the racecourse beginning at a point latitude 
24[deg]33'20.78'' N, longitude 81[deg]48'45.47'' W thence to latitude 
24[deg]33'53.93'' N, longitude 81[deg]48'21.10'' W then to latitude 
24[deg]33'54.41'' N, longitude 81[deg]48'28.99'' W thence to latitude 
24[deg]32'36.89'' N, longitude 81[deg]49'46.61'' W thence to latitude 
24[deg]32'33.32'' N, longitude 81[deg]49'41.06'' W thence to latitude 
24[deg]32'27.38'' N, longitude 81[deg]49'02.40'' W thence to latitude 
24[deg]32'27.38'' N, longitude 81[deg]48'59.90'' W thence returning to 
the point of origin at latitude 24[deg]33'20.78'' N, longitude 
81[deg]48'45.47'' W. All navigable waters extending 300 feet outward 
from the North shoreline of Sunset Key. These coordinates are based on 
the 1984 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 Key West (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 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 period. This section will be enforced from 9:00 
a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on November 4, 6, and 8, 2026.

Joshua M. Empen,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector Key West.
[FR Doc. 2026-22468 Filed 11-3-26; 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>