# 2026-08726: Coast Guard Tweaks Columbia River Event Safety Rules 2026-08726, Special Local Regulation; Marine Events Within the Captain of the Port Zone Columbia River, is a Federal Register proposed rule from Homeland Security Department, Coast Guard published 2026-05-05, effective Comments and related material must be received by the Coast Guard on or before May 19, 2026.; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-06-11). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08726 - As of: 2026-06-11 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Document number: 2026-08726 - Title: Special Local Regulation; Marine Events Within the Captain of the Port Zone Columbia River - Type: Proposed Rule - Agencies: Homeland Security Department; Coast Guard - Citation: 91 FR 24143 - Published: 2026-05-05 - Effective: Comments and related material must be received by the Coast Guard on or before May 19, 2026. - Comments close: 2026-05-19 - Significant: no - Touches household money: yes - Regulation identifier numbers: 1625-AA08 - Last updated: 2026-06-11 ## In one line Coast Guard Tweaks Columbia River Event Safety Rules ## Summary The Coast Guard is updating rules for special marine events on the Columbia River to keep everyone safe. They’re removing one inactive event and tweaking details for several races and swims. If you’re boating there, you’ll need permission to enter these areas during events, so watch for new dates and stay clear unless authorized—no extra fees, just safer waters! ## Abstract The Coast Guard is proposing to establish minor changes to a Special Local Regulation (SLR) for certain navigable waters of the Columbia River. The SLRs are needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards from the associated marine events. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from being in the regulated area unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Columbia River. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking. ## Effects PRIA read - You must get COTP permission to enter: cost, low. If you are on the Columbia River in the Captain of the Port Zone during a listed event, you may not enter the regulated area unless you obtain permission from the Captain of the Port (COTP) or their designated representative. The Coast Guard will enforce these temporary closures during event period… - Regulated area extended 75 yards at Kennewick: cost, low. For the Spring Testing Hydroplane Races and Kennewick Hydroplane Races, the regulated area near Columbia Park in Kennewick, WA is changed to commence 75 yards east (downriver) of the Interstate 395 Bridge and continue upriver approximately 2.0 miles to the northern end of Wade Island. Vessels in th… - Richland Regatta date window changed: cost, low. The Richland Regatta Hydroplane Races date language is changed from the 'Second Weekend in June' to 'One weekend in June.' Boaters and local businesses should watch for the specific weekend announced each year. - Columbia Crossing Swim timing changed: cost, low. The Columbia Crossing Swim in Pasco, WA is changed from the 'First Saturday after Labor Day Weekend' to 'One day in September.' Boaters should note the event may occur on a single September day rather than tied to Labor Day timing. - Cross‑channel swim renamed, moved, and rescheduled: cost, low. The event formerly called the 'Roy Webster Cross Channel Swim' is renamed 'Columbia River Cross Channel Swim,' its date window is changed from 'Annually on Labor Day' to 'One day in August or September,' and its location is moved from Hood River, OR (Columbia River between River Mile 169 and 170) t… - The Big Float event removed from rules: benefit, low. The Big Float (group inner-tube float) event is being removed from the regulations due to its extended period of inactivity. Events listed below it in the table will have their numbering updated to reflect its removal. ## 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 - [2026-08726 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/05/2026-08726/special-local-regulation-marine-events-within-the-captain-of-the-port-zone-columbia-river) - [2026-08726 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-05-05/pdf/2026-08726.pdf) ## Related - [Previous: 2026-08722, Safety Zone; Rainy Lake, City of Ranier, MN](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08722) - [Next: 2026-08731, Special Local Regulation; Ohio River, Louisville, KY](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08731) - [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08726 (as of 2026-06-11).