# 2026-22478: Chicago Boaters Get a Temporary No-Go Zone for Cable Work

2026-22478, Safety Zone; Lake Michigan, Chicago, IL, is a Federal Register rule from Homeland Security Department, Coast Guard published 2026-11-04, effective 2026-11-06; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-11-04).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22478
- As of: 2026-11-04
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-22478
- Title: Safety Zone; Lake Michigan, Chicago, IL
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Homeland Security Department; Coast Guard
- Citation: 91 FR 69503
- Published: 2026-11-04
- Effective: 2026-11-06
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: yes
- Regulation identifier numbers: 1625-AA00
- Last updated: 2026-11-04

## In one line

Chicago Boaters Get a Temporary No-Go Zone for Cable Work

## Summary

The Coast Guard is setting up a temporary safety zone in Lake Michigan near Chicago to keep people and boats safe during a fiber optic cable installation. From November 6 to November 11, 2026, boats can’t enter the area unless they get special permission. This quick action helps avoid accidents without costing anyone extra money.

## Abstract

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters within an area of Lake Michigan in Chicago, IL. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by a Fiber Optics Conduit installation. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan or their designated representative.

## Effects PRIA read

- Temporary 200-foot safety zone in Lake Michigan: cost, low. The Coast Guard creates a temporary safety zone in Lake Michigan, Chicago, covering all waters within a 200-foot radius of 41°50'45.4" N, 87°36'23.4" W. The zone is enforced from 6:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m. during the period starting November 6, 2026 (with alternative date ranges through November 1…
- You must get COTP permission to enter: cost, low. Boaters and people cannot enter the safety zone unless they are specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) or the COTP's designated representative. To seek permission, contact the COTP or the COTP's representative on VHF-FM channel 16 and follow any lawful orders given.
- Zone created to protect people and environment: benefit, low. The Coast Guard is establishing the safety zone to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment during a fiber optic conduit installation in Lake Michigan near Chicago. The rule cites potential hazards within a 200-foot radius of the installation as the reason for the safety zone.

## 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
- [2026-22468](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22468): Special Local Regulation; Atlantic Ocean, Key West, FL, 2026-11-04
- [2026-22362](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22362): Collection of Information Under Review by Office of Management and Budget; OMB Control Number: 1625-0072, 2026-11-03
- [2026-22269](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22269): Safety Zone; M/T KALAHARI, Gulf of America, Pascagoula, MS, 2026-10-30

## Sources
- [2026-22478 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/11/04/2026-22478/safety-zone-lake-michigan-chicago-il)
- [2026-22478 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-11-04/pdf/2026-22478.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-22468, Special Local Regulation; Atlantic Ocean, Key West, FL](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22468)
- [Next: 2026-22484, Technical Amendment to the Regulation Regarding Amendments to Applications](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22484)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22478 (as of 2026-11-04).