Coast Guard Updates 2025 Water Safety and Security Zones
Published Date: 12/16/2025
Rule
Summary
The Coast Guard is letting everyone know about temporary safety and security rules they put in place between April and June 2025 that expired before being officially published. These rules affect boaters, event organizers, and waterfront users by setting up safety zones and special event regulations to keep everyone safe. While these rules didn’t hit the Federal Register on time, the Coast Guard made sure people were informed through local alerts and patrols—no surprise fees or penalties here!
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Expired Coast Guard Safety Zones Listed
You may have been subject to temporary safety zones, security zones, or special local event rules that were placed in effect primarily between April 2025 and June 2025 and expired before they were published in the Federal Register. The Coast Guard says boaters, event organizers, and waterfront users were informed through Local Notices to Mariners, press releases, and on-scene patrols, and copies of each temporary rule can be viewed at regulations.gov under the docket numbers listed in the Federal Register notice.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-13137, Marine Casualty Reporting on the Outer Continental Shelf
Starting July 30, 2026, companies working on the Outer Continental Shelf must report marine accidents based on who’s involved, not just where they happen. The rule raises the damage cost that triggers a report from $25,000 to $75,000, saving businesses money and making rules clearer and fairer. This change cuts industry costs by over $10,000 in 10 years and aligns U.S. rules with international standards for offshore activities.
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.
2026-16805, Safety Zone; Ohio Street Beach Swim Course, Lake Michigan, Chicago Harbor, Chicago, IL
On August 21, 2026, from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., the Coast Guard will block off a safety zone in Lake Michigan near Ohio Street Beach for the North Avenue Swim & Triathlon Yo (NASTY) Carb Party swim race. Boats can’t enter or stay in this area unless they get special permission. This keeps swimmers safe and helps the event run smoothly without any extra costs for the public.
2026-16807, Safety Zone; Lake Michigan, Gary, IN
From August 20 to 23, 2026, the Coast Guard is setting up a temporary safety zone on Lake Michigan near Gary, IN, to keep everyone safe during an air show, drone display, and fireworks. Boats and people can’t enter the zone unless the Coast Guard says it’s okay. This quick action helps protect folks and the environment without any delays or extra costs.
2026-16832, Anchorages; Bolivar Roads Channel, Galveston, TX
The Coast Guard is proposing to amend the regulation for the Galveston Harbor, Bolivar Roads Channel, Texas Anchorage grounds (the "Bolivar Anchorage") to institute a 48 hour time limit for anchorage area (A) East. Amending this regulation would align the time limit for anchorage area (A) East with the already established 48 hour time limits for Bolivar Anchorage areas (A), (B) and (C). We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.
2026-16806, Safety Zone; ANCHOR Floating Production Unit (FPU) Outer Continental Shelf Facility, Green Canyon Block 763, Gulf of America
The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone around the ANCHOR Floating Production Unit (FPU), located in Green Canyon Block 763 on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in the Gulf of America. Establishing a safety zone around the facility will significantly reduce the threat of allisions, collisions, security breaches, oil spills, releases of natural gas, and thereby protect the safety of life, property, and the environment. This rule prohibits entry of vessels into this safety zone unless specifically authorized Commander, Coast Guard Heartland District or their designated representative.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-22960, Schedules of Controlled Substances: Extension of Temporary Placement of 4F-MDMB-BUTICA, ADB-4en-PINACA, 5F-EDMB-PICA, and MMB-FUBICA in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act
The DEA is extending the temporary ban on four risky substances—4F-MDMB-BUTICA, ADB-4en-PINACA, 5F-EDMB-PICA, and MMB-FUBICA—keeping them in the strictest drug category (Schedule I) for another year. This means anyone making, selling, or using these chemicals faces serious legal rules and penalties until a permanent decision is made. The extension runs from December 12, 2025, to December 12, 2026, or sooner if a final rule is set.
Next: 2025-22966, Special Local Regulations; San Diego Parade of Lights, San Diego, CA
On December 14 and 21, 2025, the Coast Guard will enforce special rules on San Diego Bay during the Parade of Lights to keep everyone safe. Boats can’t block, anchor, or hang out in certain areas unless they get special permission. These rules run from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and help make sure the event goes smoothly without any waterway traffic jams.