Coast Guard Officially Publishes Rules That Already Expired
Published Date: 7/20/2026
Rule
Summary
The Coast Guard is letting everyone know about temporary safety and security rules that were active in early 2026 but expired before they could be officially published. These rules affect boaters, event organizers, and waterfront businesses by setting up safety zones and special event regulations to keep everyone safe. While these rules didn’t cost money or last long, they helped protect people and property during emergencies and special events.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Temporary Coast Guard Safety & Access Limits
You (boaters, event organizers, waterfront businesses, participants, and mariners) were subject to temporary safety zones, security zones, and special local regulations that were effective primarily between January 2026 and March 2026 (some as early as 12/31/2025 and as late as 04/03/2026). These temporary rules limited access to specific waterways in listed locations (for example: Savannah, GA; Miami Beach, FL; San Francisco, CA; San Juan, PR) and were enforced on-scene even though they expired before publication in the Federal Register.
Late Enforcement Notices Posted to Dockets
If you are affected by recurring Coast Guard regulations, the Coast Guard issued notifications of enforcement that primarily covered the period between January 2026 and March 2026 but were not published in the Federal Register before their enforcement period ended. The agency says it will post those enforcement notices and the temporary rules to their dockets on regulations.gov, and affected parties were often informed instead via Local Notices to Mariners, press releases, or Coast Guard patrol vessels.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-13137, Marine Casualty Reporting on the Outer Continental Shelf
Starting July 30, 2026, companies working on the Outer Continental Shelf must report marine accidents based on who’s involved, not just where they happen. The rule raises the damage cost that triggers a report from $25,000 to $75,000, saving businesses money and making rules clearer and fairer. This change cuts industry costs by over $10,000 in 10 years and aligns U.S. rules with international standards for offshore activities.
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.
2026-18279, Safety Zone; Laguna Madre, South Padre Island, TX
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters on the Laguna Madre. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards associated with an over water fireworks display. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Corpus Christi, or their designated representative.
2026-18130, Safety Zone; Ohio Street Beach Swim Course, Lake Michigan, Chicago Harbor, Chicago, IL
The Coast Guard will enforce a safety zone for the Chicago Masters' Big Shoulders 5K and 2.5K Open Water Swim event to provide for the safety of life on navigable waterways during a swim event. Our regulation for marine events within the Great Lakes Coast Guard District identified the safety zone for this event in Chicago, IL. During the enforcement period, entry into, transiting, or anchoring within the safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Lake Michigan or a designated on-scene representative.
2026-18044, Safety Zone; Outer Harbor, Buffalo, NY
The Coast Guard is setting up a temporary safety zone in Buffalo's Outer Harbor on September 5, 2026, from 9:15 to 10:15 p.m. This zone keeps boats and people away from a fireworks show to keep everyone safe. If you want to enter, you’ll need special permission, but no fees or long delays are involved.
2026-18062, Special Local Regulation; Allegheny River Mile Markers 0-3.5 and Ohio River Mile Marker 0-3, Pittsburgh, PA
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary special local regulation (SLR) on the waters of the Allegheny River from mile marker 0 to mile marker 3.5 and the Ohio River from mile marker 0 to mile marker 3 in Pittsburgh, PA. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters from potential hazards during the Pitt Paddle planned on September 6, 2026. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from being in the six-and-a-half- mile regulated area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Pittsburgh or a designated representative.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-14551, Pacific Halibut Fisheries of the West Coast; Inseason Action for the 2026 Area 2A Pacific Halibut Directed Commercial Fishery
Good news for West Coast commercial halibut fishers! From July 21 to 23, 2026, vessels can catch up to 5,000 pounds of Pacific halibut each, giving the fleet a fresh chance to reach their yearly quota. This extra fishing window helps make sure the 2026 halibut allocation is fully used without going overboard.
Next: 2026-14573, Food Standards of Identity Modernization; Pasteurized Orange Juice
The FDA is updating the rules for pasteurized orange juice by lowering the minimum sugar content and allowing up to 15% of a new type of citrus juice. This change helps juice makers, especially in Florida, keep up with modern practices without raising costs. The new rules kick in on August 19, 2026, giving producers time to adjust.