# 2026-08902: Coast Guard Regulates River Raft Races: No Drifting Without Permission!

2026-08902, Special Local Regulation; Neuse and Trent Rivers, New Bern, NC, is a Federal Register proposed rule from Homeland Security Department, Coast Guard published 2026-05-06, effective 2026-06-06; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-06-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08902
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-08902
- Title: Special Local Regulation; Neuse and Trent Rivers, New Bern, NC
- Type: Proposed Rule
- Agencies: Homeland Security Department; Coast Guard
- Citation: 91 FR 24490
- Published: 2026-05-06
- Effective: 2026-06-06
- Comments close: 2026-05-18
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: yes
- Regulation identifier numbers: 1625-AA08
- Last updated: 2026-06-11

## In one line

Coast Guard Regulates River Raft Races: No Drifting Without Permission!

## Summary

The Coast Guard wants to set up special rules on the Neuse and Trent Rivers near New Bern, NC, during the annual raft races to keep everyone safe. Only people and boats with permission from the Captain of the Port can be in the race area. If you want to share your thoughts, you have until May 18, 2026, to speak up—no fees or costs are involved, just safety first!

## Abstract

The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a special local regulation (SLR) for certain navigable waters of the Neuse and Trent Rivers near New Bern, NC. The SLR is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards during annual raft races in New Bern, NC. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from being in the regulated area unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, North Carolina. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

## Effects PRIA read

- No-Entry Zone Without COTP Permission: benefit, low. If you operate a vessel or are a person on the Neuse and Trent Rivers near Union Point in New Bern, NC, you may not enter the regulated race area between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on June 6, 2026 or on one Saturday in June each year unless you have written permission from the Captain of the Port (CO…
- Permission Process and Notices for Vessels: benefit, low. Vessels may request permission to enter the regulated area from the Captain of the Port (COTP) or their designated representative. The Coast Guard will announce enforcement and any alternate event dates in the Federal Register and via Local Notices to Mariners and will issue a Broadcast Notice to M…
- Coast Guard Finds Minimal Small-Business Impact: benefit, low. The Coast Guard certified under the Regulatory Flexibility Act that this proposed rule "would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities." The rule notes vessel traffic can safely transit around the regulated course, and the regulation will affect the predeterm…

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## Sources
- [2026-08902 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/06/2026-08902/special-local-regulation-neuse-and-trent-rivers-new-bern-nc)
- [2026-08902 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-05-06/pdf/2026-08902.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-08826, Modification of Certain Terminology in Title 21](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08826)
- [Next: 2026-08910, Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of America; Amendment 58B](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08910)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08902 (as of 2026-06-11).