# 2026-16645: Safety zone shields Rhode Island swim from rogue boats

2026-16645, Safety Zone; West Passage Narragansett Bay, Narragansett, RI, is a Federal Register rule from Homeland Security Department, Coast Guard published 2026-08-14, effective 2026-08-18; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-08-21).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16645
- As of: 2026-08-21
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-16645
- Title: Safety Zone; West Passage Narragansett Bay, Narragansett, RI
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Homeland Security Department; Coast Guard
- Citation: 91 FR 52531
- Published: 2026-08-14
- Effective: 2026-08-18
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: yes
- Regulation identifier numbers: 1625-AA00
- Last updated: 2026-08-21

## In one line

Safety zone shields Rhode Island swim from rogue boats

## Summary

The Coast Guard is setting up a temporary safety zone in West Passage Narragansett Bay, RI, to keep swimmers safe during the Dutch Island Swim event on August 18, 2026. Boats and people can’t enter the zone unless they get special permission. This rule is only enforced during the swim hours and helps prevent accidents without costing anyone money.

## Abstract

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters on the West Passage Narragansett Bay. The safety zone is needed to protect swimmers, personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards during a swim event. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Southeastern New England, or their designated representative.

## Effects PRIA read

- Temporary closure of West Passage waters: cost, low. You may not enter the safety zone in the West Passage of Narragansett Bay that covers all navigable waters within 500 yards along a centerline from 41°29'32.5" N., 71°25'12.0" W. to 41°29'48.3" N., 71°24'15.4" W. during the event period from 10:30 a.m. on August 18, 2026 through 1:00 p.m. on August…
- Must get Coast Guard permission to enter: cost, low. If you need to enter the safety zone during the enforcement hours, you must get specific permission from the Captain of the Port (COTP) or the COTP's designated representative and comply with their orders. The rule directs mariners to seek permission on VHF-FM channel 16 and notes that the day of e…

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- [2026-08699](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08699): Shipping Safety Fairways Along the Atlantic Coast, 2026-05-05
- [2026-22733](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22733): Collection of Information Under Review by Office of Management and Budget; OMB Control Number: 1625-0100, 2026-11-09
- [2026-22734](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22734): Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Harlem River, Between the Boroughs of Manhattan and the Bronx, New York City, New York, 2026-11-06
- [2026-22677](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22677): Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Wishkah River, Aberdeen, WA, 2026-11-06

## Sources
- [2026-16645 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/14/2026-16645/safety-zone-west-passage-narragansett-bay-narragansett-ri)
- [2026-16645 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-14/pdf/2026-16645.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-16644, Safety Zone; St. Clair River; Port Huron, MI](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16644)
- [Next: 2026-16655, Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. Engines](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16655)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16645 (as of 2026-08-21).