# 2026-08824: Coast Guard Proposes New Start Line for Newport-Bermuda Race 2026-08824, Special Local Regulation; East Passage, Narragansett Bay, Newport, RI, is a Federal Register proposed rule from Homeland Security Department, Coast Guard published 2026-05-06, effective Comments and related material must be received by the Coast Guard on or before June 5, 2026.; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-06-11). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08824 - As of: 2026-06-11 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Document number: 2026-08824 - Title: Special Local Regulation; East Passage, Narragansett Bay, Newport, RI - Type: Proposed Rule - Agencies: Homeland Security Department; Coast Guard - Citation: 91 FR 24492 - Published: 2026-05-06 - Effective: Comments and related material must be received by the Coast Guard on or before June 5, 2026. - Comments close: not stated - Significant: no - Touches household money: yes - Regulation identifier numbers: 1625-AA08 - Last updated: 2026-06-11 ## In one line Coast Guard Proposes New Start Line for Newport-Bermuda Race ## Summary The Coast Guard wants to update the rules for the famous Newport to Bermuda sailboat race in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. They’re changing the exact starting spot and keeping the area off-limits to anyone not in the race unless given special permission. If you’re a boater or local, watch out for these changes and get your comments in by June 5, 2026—no fees, just safer waters! ## Abstract The Coast Guard proposes revising regulations for a special local regulation (SLR) established to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards inherent in a recurring sailboat race with a starting point on navigable waters of the Narragansett Bay, in Newport, RI. These revisions would modify the precise location of the starting point and make other changes. As under the current rule, non-participating persons and vessels would be prohibited from being in the regulated area unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Southeastern New England. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking. ## Effects PRIA read - Boaters barred from race area: cost, low. If you boat near Newport, RI, you may not enter the regulated race area defined by the coordinates in Table 1 or Table 2 (NAD 83) on the race day unless you get permission from the Captain of the Port (COTP) or a designated representative. The rule applies to the Newport to Bermuda Race (54th editi… - When restriction is enforced: cost, low. The special local regulation is enforced biennially on the third Friday or Saturday of June in even-numbered years, with enforcement dates and times published in a "Notification of Enforcement" in the Federal Register and in the Local Notice to Mariners. For 2026, the event sponsor notified the Coa… - Access only with permission and rules: cost, low. You can request permission to enter the regulated area from the Captain of the Port or their representative, contacted on VHF-FM Channel 16 or by telephone (866-819-9128 or (508) 457-3211). If permitted, vessels must transit at their slowest safe speed and follow all lawful directions from the COTP… - Small entities not significantly harmed: benefit, low. 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 because it affects a small area for a few hours and vessel traffic can transit around the regulated area. Small entities may… ## 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 - [2026-08824 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/06/2026-08824/special-local-regulation-east-passage-narragansett-bay-newport-ri) - [2026-08824 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-05-06/pdf/2026-08824.pdf) ## Related - [Previous: 2026-08809, Veteran Readiness and Employment Program: Improving Development and Delivery of…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08809) - [Next: 2026-08826, Modification of Certain Terminology in Title 21](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08826) - [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08824 (as of 2026-06-11).