Fleet Week Boat Restrictions: Keep Patapsco River Safe and Fun
Published Date: 1/27/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The Coast Guard is updating rules to keep the Patapsco River safe during Fleet Week events in Baltimore from June 24 to July 1, 2026. During this time, only authorized boats can enter certain areas to protect everyone on the water. If you’re boating nearby, plan ahead and watch for these new restrictions—no extra fees, just safer waters!
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Temporary No‑Entry Zone During Fleet Week
From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day between June 24, 2026 and July 1, 2026, most persons and vessels are prohibited from entering specified waters of the Patapsco River in Baltimore unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or the Coast Guard Patrol Commander. The restriction covers the regulated area defined in 33 CFR 100.501 around the Inner Harbor during Air Show Baltimore and Fleet Week.
How to Get Permission to Transit
If you are not an event participant or an official patrol vessel, you must request permission from the Captain of the Port or the Coast Guard Patrol Commander to enter or pass through the regulated area; vessel operators should request permission on VHF‑FM channel 16. If permission is granted, you must follow directions, operate at a safe speed that minimizes wake, and comply with instructions from official patrol vessels.
Aerobatics Areas Reserved for Participants
The air show aerobatics areas within the regulated areas are restricted only to Air Show Baltimore participants; non-participants are not permitted in aerobatics areas during the enforcement period.
Coast Guard Says No Significant Small‑Business Impact
The Coast Guard certifies, under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, that this proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The Coast Guard also says it will work with small businesses to organize transit and minimize impacts.
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: 2026-01534 — Incorporation by Reference of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Standard 603-2018
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) wants to update its rules by officially including the IEEE Standard 603-2018, which sets safety rules for nuclear power plant systems. This change affects nuclear power plants and aims to keep safety standards sharp and up-to-date. A public meeting is set for February 3, 2026, giving everyone 60 days to share their thoughts—no big costs expected, just smarter safety!
Next: 2026-01608 — Legal Services, General Counsel, and Miscellaneous Claims
The Department of Veterans Affairs is officially pulling back a proposed rule about legal services and claims that was introduced in late 2024. This means no changes will happen right now, as the VA is still figuring out what it really needs and wants to do. Veterans and VA staff should know this pause won’t cost or change anything for now, but stay tuned for future updates!