Coast Guard Locks Down SF Bay for New Year's Fireworks Safety
Published Date: 12/17/2025
Rule
Summary
The Coast Guard is setting up a safety zone around the San Francisco Bay for the New Year's Eve fireworks from noon on December 31, 2025, to 12:45 a.m. on January 1, 2026. Boats and people not authorized must stay out to keep everyone safe during the fireworks setup, transit, and show. This means some water areas near the Ferry Building will be off-limits for a short time, so plan ahead!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Boaters Prohibited Near Ferry Building
You cannot enter, transit through, or anchor in a Coast Guard safety zone near the San Francisco Ferry Building from noon on December 31, 2025, through 12:45 a.m. on January 1, 2026. During loading and transit there is a 100-foot zone around the fireworks barge, and at about 11:45 p.m. on December 31 the zone expands to a 1,000-foot circle until 12:45 a.m. on January 1, 2026.
Commercial Vessels May Request Transit
Commercial vessels may request permission from the Patrol Commander to transit through the regulated area during the enforcement period (noon on December 31, 2025, through 12:45 a.m. on January 1, 2026). The Patrol Commander or Official Patrol can allow commercial transit when it is safe to do so, but permission is not guaranteed.
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