Coast Guard Cages Seattle's Seafair Ships: Boaters Beware!
Published Date: 7/29/2025
Rule
Summary
From July 29 to August 5, 2025, the Coast Guard will set up special security zones around Seattle’s Seafair Fleet Week ships to keep them safe from harm. Boats can’t enter these zones without permission, but they can cruise slowly in the outer areas. This means boaters near Elliott Bay should plan ahead and follow the new rules to avoid fines or delays.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Temporary 500‑Yard Security Zones
From July 29, 2025 through August 5, 2025, all navigable waters within 500 yards of the designated Seafair Fleet Week participating vessels in Elliott Bay, Seattle, WA are security zones. During that period you may not enter or remain in those zones without authorization from the Captain of the Port Sector Puget Sound (COTP) or their designated representative.
Outer 400‑Yard Slow‑Speed Exception
The Captain of the Port has granted general permission for vessels to enter the outer 400 yards of the 500‑yard security zones in Elliott Bay if they operate at the minimum speed necessary to maintain course, unless navigation rules require a different speed. That conditional permission applies during the enforcement period July 29, 2025 through August 5, 2025.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-08699 — Shipping Safety Fairways Along the Atlantic Coast
The Coast Guard is making the Atlantic Coast safer for ships by setting up special shipping lanes from New York to Florida. They’re reopening the comment period until June 22, 2026, so everyone can share their thoughts before the rules are finalized. This affects ship operators and coastal communities, aiming to keep sea travel smooth and safe without extra costs right now.
2026-10262 — Safety Zones; Recurring Safety Zones in Captain of the Port Northern Great Lakes Zone
The Coast Guard is setting up safety zones on the water in the Northern Great Lakes during special events like fireworks and airshows. Boaters need to stay out of these zones unless they get permission, especially on specific dates from June to September 2026. These rules keep everyone safe and won’t cost you extra, but you’ll want to plan ahead to avoid delays.
2026-10261 — Safety Zone; Cheboygan River, Cheboygan, MI
The Coast Guard is setting up a temporary safety zone on the Cheboygan River in Michigan from May 18 to May 31, 2026, to protect people and boats while repairs happen on flood-damaged dam gates and cables. No one can enter this area without special permission, keeping everyone safe and the environment protected. This quick action means boaters need to plan ahead and avoid the zone during these dates.
2026-10265 — Safety Zones; Annual Events in the Captain of the Port Eastern Great Lakes Zone
The Coast Guard is stepping up to keep everyone safe during big annual fireworks events in the Eastern Great Lakes area this July 3rd. They’ll enforce special safety zones on the water, meaning boats can’t enter these areas without permission during the shows. If you’re boating nearby, plan ahead to avoid delays—no extra fees, just smooth and safe celebrations!
2026-10198 — Collection of Information Under Review by Office of Management and Budget; OMB Control Number: 1625-0074
The U.S. Coast Guard is asking to keep collecting info about fees for inspecting commercial ships, both U.S. and foreign, without making any changes. If you’re involved with these inspections, this means the current rules and fees stay the same. You’ve got until June 22, 2026, to share your thoughts, and there’s no new cost or paperwork increase coming your way.
2026-10158 — Special Local Regulation; Battle of the Boats; York River, Yorktown, VA
The Coast Guard is setting up a temporary safety zone on the York River near Yorktown, VA, for the high-speed "Battle of the Boats" race and docking contest on June 6-7, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. During this time, only authorized boats and people can enter the race area to keep everyone safe. If you’re planning to be on the water, expect some restrictions but no fees or costs are involved.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-14294 — List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: TN Americas LLC, NUHOMS® EOS Dry Spent Fuel Storage System, Certificate of Compliance No. 1042, Amendment No. 4
The NRC updated the rules for storing spent nuclear fuel using TN Americas’ NUHOMS EOS system by adding Amendment No. 4. This update brings new ways to load fuel, adds a steel plate option, and improves safety checks with new software. These changes help make storage safer and clearer, affecting operators now with no extra costs or delays.
Next: 2025-14296 — Special Local Regulation; Olympia Harbor Days Tugboat Races, Budd Inlet, WA
On August 31, 2025, the Coast Guard will block off part of Budd Inlet from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the Olympia Harbor Days Tugboat Races. Boaters need permission to enter the race area during this time to keep everyone safe. This means some folks might have to change their plans, but it’s all about making the event fun and secure!