SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

COTP Captain of the Port, Delaware Bay COTP Zone

DHS Department of Homeland Security

FR Federal Register

NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking

§ Section

SLR Special Local Regulation

U.S.C. United States Code

II. Background Information and Regulatory History

On June 9, 2026, the Coast Guard published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) titled “Special Local Regulation; Marine Events Within the USCG East District.” There, we stated why we issued the NPRM, and we invited comments on our proposed regulatory action to amend 33 CFR 100.501, Table I to paragraph (i)(1) by adding permanent special local regulations (SLRs) for four recurring marine events and revising regulations for three recurring events already in the table. During the comment period that ended July 9, 2026, we received no comments.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 46 U.S.C. 70041. Within the Coast Guard, that authority has been delegated to the Captain of the Port, Delaware Bay COTP Zone (COTP), as provided in 33 CFR 1.05-1(i).

The COTP has determined that participants in the events listed in this rule and other waterway users could be at risk of injury or death resulting from actual or near contact with non-participants traversing areas regulated by these rules during the events. To protect the safety of all waterway users, including event participants and spectators, this rulemaking establishes SLRs subject to enforcement at the times and locations provided, or to be provided, for each marine event. This rule prohibits vessels from entering, transiting, mooring or anchoring within areas specifically designated as regulated areas during periods of enforcement unless authorized by the COTP, or designated Event Patrol Commander.

IV. Discussion of Comments, Changes, and the Rule

As noted above, we received no comments on the NPRM we published June 9, 2026. There are no changes in the regulatory text of this rule from the proposed rule in the NPRM.

The Coast Guard is adding entries for four recurring SLRs to Table 1 to Paragraph (i)(1) of 33 CFR 100.501 for annual marine events in the Delaware Bay Captain of the Port Zone. We are also modifying entries for three existing marine events in the Table. The Coast Guard will publish annual “Notifications of Enforcement” in the Federal Register and provide other notice of the exact dates and times the regulations will be subject to enforcement. For each event, these notices will provide the geographical description of each regulated area and other pertinent details concerning the nature of the event.

This rulemaking will serve to protect participants spectators, and vessels from the hazards associated with a variety of marine events. While subject to enforcement, these SLRs prohibit non-participant persons or vessels from entering into, remaining within, transiting through, or anchoring in a regulated area unless authorized by the COTP or a designated representative of the COTP. The regulatory text appears at the end of this document.

Below is a description of the four recurring marine events that we are adding to Table 1 to Paragraph (i)(1) in 100.501.

1. Wildwood Airshow

This marine event takes place one Saturday or Sunday in September, at the location described as follows: The event is in Wildwood, NJ, within the following area: All navigable waters of Atlantic Ocean near Wildwood, NJ, within a polygon bounded by the following: originating on the shore line at approximate position latitude 38°59′26″ N, longitude 074°47′37″ W; thence southeast to approximate position latitude 38°59′07″ N, longitude 074°46′40″ W; thence southwest to approximate position to latitude 38°57′42″ N, longitude 074°48′43″ W; thence northwest to the shoreline at approximate position latitude 38°58′11″ N, longitude 074°49′43″ W; thence northeast along the shoreline to the point of origin. The sponsor is Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority.

2. Philadelphia Cup Regatta

This marine event takes place one Saturday or Sunday in September or October. The event is in Philadelphia, PA, at the following location: All navigable waters of the Delaware River in Philadelphia, PA, shoreline to shoreline at approximate position 39°58′33″ N, longitude 075°4′51″ W, southerly to approximate position 39°56′04″ N, longitude 075°8′23″ W. The sponsor is Liberty Sailing Club.

3. Treasure Island Sprint Triathlon

This marine event takes place one Saturday or Sunday in September or October. The event is in Point Pleasant, NJ, at the following location: All navigable waters of the Manasquan River in Point Pleasant, NJ, within a polygon bounded by the following: originating at 40°5′39″ N, longitude 074°4′26″ W, thence to 40°5′19″ N, longitude 074°4′26.″ W, thence to 40°5′19″ N, longitude 074°4′7″ W, thence to 40°5′39″ N, longitude 074°4′6″ W, and along the shoreline back to the point of origin. The sponsor is Point Pleasant Foundation for Excellence in Education.

4. Ocean City Chase Race

This marine event takes place on Saturday or Sunday in October. The event is in Ocean City, NJ, at the ( printed page 50712) following location: All navigable waters of the New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway near Ocean City, NJ, shoreline to shoreline, between approximate position 39°13′41″ N, longitude 074°39′00″ W. and approximate position 39°15′20″ N, longitude 074°37′34″ W. The sponsor is Ocean City, NJ.

Below is a description of the three SLRs in Table 1 to Paragraph (i)(1) in 100.501 that we are changing.

1. Battle at Brigantine (Formerly “Stockton Boat Race”)

The name for this marine event has been updated to Battle at Brigantine and has changed locations from Atlantic City, NJ to Brigantine, NJ at the following location: All navigable waters of Bonita Tideway in Brigantine, NJ, within a polygon originating at position latitude 39°24′33″ N, longitude 074°22′28″ W; thence southwest across the Bonita Tideway to the shoreline to latitude 39°24′22″ N, longitude 074°22′49″ W; thence southwest along the shoreline to latitude 39°23′49″ N, longitude 074°23′33″ W; thence across the Bonita Tideway to the shoreline at latitude 39°23′43″ N, longitude 074°23′33″ W; thence north along the shoreline to the point of origin. The event will take place one Saturday or Sunday in March or April. The event sponsor is still Stockton University.

2. Atlantic City Airshow (Formerly “Thunder Over the Boardwalk Air Show”)

The name for this marine event has been updated to Atlantic City Airshow and the dates have been changed to “four consecutive days in May, June, July, or August.” The event location is in Atlantic City, NJ in the following location: The waters of the Atlantic Ocean, adjacent to Atlantic City, NJ, bounded by a polygon, originating at the shoreline at position latitude 39°21′51″ N, longitude 074°24′27″ W; thence southeast to approximate position latitude 39°21′13″ N, longitude 074°23′48″ W; thence southwest to approximate position to latitude 39°20′17″ N, longitude 074°26′24″ W; thence northwest to the shoreline at approximate position latitude 39°20′57″N, longitude 074°26′52″W; thence northeast along the shoreline to the point of origin. The sponsor has been changed to Visit Atlantic City.

3. Ocean City Airshow

The coordinates have been updated to create a larger regulated area for the event. The event location in Ocean City, NJ is more specifically described as: All navigable waters of the Atlantic Ocean near Ocean City, NJ, bounded by a polygon originating on the shoreline at latitude 39°17′01″ N, longitude 074°33′20″ W, thence southeast to latitude 39°16′28″ N, longitude 074°32′27″ W, thence southwest to latitude 39°15′08″ N, longitude 074°34′46″ W, thence northwest to latitude 39°15′44″ N, longitude 074°35′30″ W, thence northeast to point of origin.

V. Regulatory Analyses

We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and Executive orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our analyses based on a number of these statutes and Executive orders.

A. Impact on Small Entities

The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, 5 U.S.C. 601-612, as amended, requires Federal agencies to consider the potential impact of regulations on small entities during rulemaking. The term “small entities” comprises small businesses, not-for-profit organizations that are independently owned and operated and are not dominant in their fields, and governmental jurisdictions with populations of less than 50,000. The Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that these proposed rules would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. These regulatory action determinations are based on size, location, duration and time-of-day of the regulated areas. The regulated areas would be for short durations and are necessary for safety of life to participants in the event. Moreover, the Coast Guard would make a post in the Local Notice to Mariners with details on the regulated area.

Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), if this rule will affect your small business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you have questions, contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.

Small businesses may send comments to the Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman and the Regional Small Business Regulatory Fairness Boards by calling 1-888-REG-FAIR (1-888-734-3247). The Coast Guard will not retaliate against small entities that question or complain about this rule or any policy or action of the Coast Guard.

B. Collection of Information

This rule will not call for a new collection of information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).

C. Federalism and Indian Tribal Governments

A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132, Federalism, if it has a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the National Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. We have analyzed this rule under that Order and have determined that it is consistent with the fundamental federalism principles and preemption requirements described in Executive Order 13132.

Also, this rule does not have tribal implications under Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments, because it does not have a substantial direct effect on one or more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal Government and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian tribes.

D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531-1538) requires Federal agencies to assess the effects of their discretionary regulatory actions. In particular, the Act addresses actions that may result in the expenditure by a State, local, or tribal government, in the aggregate, or by the private sector of $100,000,000 (adjusted for inflation) or more in any one year. Though this rule will not result in such an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere in this preamble.

E. Environment

We have analyzed this rule under Department of Homeland Security Directive 023-01, Rev. 1, associated implementing instructions, and Environmental Planning COMDTINST 5090.1 (series), which guide the Coast Guard in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969(42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and have determined that this action is one of a category of actions that do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment. This rule involves special local regulations at various locations and at various times to maintain the safety of event participants, spectators, and transiting vessel traffic. It is categorically excluded from further review under paragraph L61 of Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev. 1. A memorandum for record (MFR) supporting this determination is available in the docket. For instructions ( printed page 50713) on locating the docket, see the ADDRESSES section of this preamble.

For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard is proposing to amend 33 CFR part 100 as follows:

91 FR 50711