Coast Guard's Late-Night Filing: Expired Boat Safety Rules Finally See Daylight
Published Date: 5/5/2026
Rule
Summary
The Coast Guard is letting everyone know about temporary safety and security rules they put in place from October to December 2024 that expired before they could be officially published. These rules affect boaters, event organizers, and waterfront users by setting 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
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Temporary waterway restrictions Oct–Dec 2024
The Coast Guard temporarily put safety zones, security zones, and special local regulations in place at many waterfront locations between October 3, 2024 and December 31, 2024. If you are a boater, event organizer, participant, or waterfront user in the listed locations (for example Chicago, IL; Corpus Christi, TX; San Francisco, CA), you were required to follow those restrictions while they were in effect.
After‑the‑fact public notice and enforcement methods
The Coast Guard says mariners and the public were notified of these temporary rules through Local Notices to Mariners, press releases, and Coast Guard patrol vessels before any enforcement. Copies of the temporary rules and notifications of enforcement (effective mainly between October 2024 and December 2024) are posted at regulations.gov under the listed docket numbers.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-08733, Regulated Navigation Area; Raritan River, Perth Amboy, NJ
Starting May 5, 2026, the Coast Guard is setting up special rules on the Raritan River near Perth Amboy because a new bridge is being built. Boats will need to slow down, avoid certain areas, and sometimes can’t enter the channel at all during tricky construction times. These rules keep everyone safe and will last until June 30, 2030, with no extra costs for boaters.
Next: 2026-08741, 2024 Quarterly Listings; Second Quarter; Safety Zones, Security Zones, and Special Local Regulations
The Coast Guard is letting everyone know about temporary safety and security rules that were active between April and June 2024 but expired before they could be officially published. These rules affect boaters, event organizers, and waterfront users by setting up safety zones, security zones, and special event regulations to keep things safe and smooth. No new fees or costs are involved, but folks should stay alert for these kinds of quick, important changes.