# 2025-05907: Coast Guard locks down river for annual Wharf to Wharf Swim 2025-05907, Special Local Regulation, East River, Mathews, Virginia, is a Federal Register proposed rule from Homeland Security Department, Coast Guard published 2025-04-07, effective The proposed special local regulation would be subject to enforcement annually, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the third Saturday of August (with the swim scheduled from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on August 16, 2025 and a 30-day before/after allowance for inclement weather under 33 CFR 100.501(g)).; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-07). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-05907 - As of: 2026-10-07 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Document number: 2025-05907 - Title: Special Local Regulation, East River, Mathews, Virginia - Type: Proposed Rule - Agencies: Homeland Security Department; Coast Guard - Citation: 90 FR 14933 - Published: 2025-04-07 - Effective: The proposed special local regulation would be subject to enforcement annually, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the third Saturday of August (with the swim scheduled from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on August 16, 2025 and a 30-day before/after allowance for inclement weather under 33 CFR 100.501(g)). - Comments close: not stated - Significant: no - Touches household money: yes - Regulation identifier numbers: 1625-AA08 - Last updated: 2026-10-07 ## In one line Coast Guard locks down river for annual Wharf to Wharf Swim ## Summary The Coast Guard wants to create a special safety zone on the East River in Mathews, Virginia, every year during the 'Wharf to Wharf Swim' event. From 10 a.m. to noon on the third Saturday of August, only authorized people and boats can enter the swim area to keep everyone safe. This rule affects swimmers, boaters, and spectators, and the public can share their thoughts by May 7, 2025. ## Abstract The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a special local regulation for certain waters on the East River in Mathews, VA. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters during an annual "Wharf to Wharf Swim." This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from entering the regulated area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Virginia or a designated representative. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking. ## Effects PRIA read - Annual 4‑Hour Boating Exclusion Zone: cost, low. You may not enter a marked swim area on the East River near Williams Wharf unless authorized on the third Saturday of August. The Coast Guard would enforce a roughly 760-yard by 700-yard regulated area annually from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and no vessel or person may enter without permission from t… - Swimmer Safety Secured During Event: benefit, low. If you participate in the Wharf to Wharf Swim, the Coast Guard's rule would limit other people and boats in the swim course to protect you. The event is a 1-mile open-water swim planned for about 50 participants (with about 10 spectator craft) on August 16, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and w… - Coast Guard Finds No Major Small-Business Cost: benefit, low. If you own a small business or operate a small vessel, 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. The agency notes some vessel owners may be small entities but concludes the short, o… ## Related documents - [2026-20087](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20087): Clarification of Certain Mariner Training Requirements, 2026-10-01 - [2026-13137](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-13137): Marine Casualty Reporting on the Outer Continental Shelf, 2026-06-30 - [2026-08699](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08699): Shipping Safety Fairways Along the Atlantic Coast, 2026-05-05 - [2026-20632](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20632): Special Local Regulations; San Francisco Bay Navy Fleet Week Parade of Ships and Blue Angels Demonstration, San Francisco, CA, 2026-10-08 - [2026-20527](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20527): Area Maritime Security Advisory Committee (AMSC), Eastern Great Lakes, Western New York; Sub-Committee Vacancy, 2026-10-07 - [2026-20522](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20522): Safety Zone; Luminsea Miami Shootout and Races, Miami Marine Stadium Harbor, Miami FL, 2026-10-07 ## Sources - [2025-05907 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/04/07/2025-05907/special-local-regulation-east-river-mathews-virginia) - [2025-05907 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-04-07/pdf/2025-05907.pdf) ## Related - [Previous: 2025-05899, Interim Enforcement Policy for Enforcement Discretion for General Licensee Adop…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-05899) - [Next: 2025-05910, Air Plan Approval; Connecticut; 2017 Base Year Emissions Inventory for the 2015…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-05910) - [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-05907 (as of 2026-10-07).