Coast Guard Locks Down Rio Grande for SpaceX Rocket Explosions

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.

2026-18856, Safety Zone; Calcasieu River Channel, Lake Charles, LA

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters on the Calcasieu River Channel near the Cameron LNG turning basin. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by the installation and removal of the submerged dredge pipeline. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Port Arthur, or their designated representative.

2026-18734, Safety Zone; Lake Erie, Oregon, OH

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters of Lake Erie within a 300-yard radius of an overwater drone display at 41[deg]41'15.9" N, 83[deg]22'14.7" W. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards associated with an overwater drone display. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Detroit, or their designated representative.

2026-18670, Special Local Regulations; Marine Events Within the Sector Columbia River Captain of the Port Zone, Portland, OR

The Coast Guard will enforce special local regulations at one location in the Sector Columbia River Captain of the Port Zone in Portland, OR from September 12, 2026, to September 13, 2026. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life and property on these navigable waters during marine events. During the enforcement periods, the operator of any vessel in the regulated area must comply with the directions from the Patrol Commander or any official patrol vessel.

2026-18557, Safety Zone; York River, Yorktown, VA

On October 16, 2026, from 9 to 10 p.m., the Coast Guard will set up a temporary safety zone on the York River in Yorktown, VA, to keep people and boats safe during a cool drone light show. No one can enter the zone without special permission, so boaters should plan ahead. This short rule helps prevent accidents and keeps the river safe without costing anyone money.

Previous: 2026-18849, Pacific Island Fisheries; Catch and Retention Limits for Striped Marlin in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean North of the Equator

This final rule implements a framework for specifying catch limits for all U.S. fisheries and retention limits by U.S. longline fisheries under a Hawaii longline limited entry permit for Western and Central North Pacific Ocean (WCNPO) striped marlin (Kajikia audax), consistent with the requirements of Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) Conservation and Management Measure (CMM) 2024-06. If the retention limit is reached, NMFS will prohibit retention of WCNPO striped marlin by longline fishing vessels until the end of the year to prevent the U.S. catch limit from being exceeded. Because the U.S. limit under the framework can change each year, NMFS will specify the updated catch and longline retention limits by notice in the Federal Register early each calendar year. For fishing year 2026, NMFS specifies a U.S. WCNPO striped marlin limit of 393.4 metric tons (mt) (867,300 pounds (lb)) and a U.S. longline retention limit of 381.6 mt (841,300 lb) using the framework.

Next: 2026-18856, Safety Zone; Calcasieu River Channel, Lake Charles, LA

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters on the Calcasieu River Channel near the Cameron LNG turning basin. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by the installation and removal of the submerged dredge pipeline. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Port Arthur, or their designated representative.