Federal Register #USCG-2025-1120

Temporary Special Local Regulation for 4th of July Fireworks in New York Harbor

The U.S. Coast Guard is proposing a temporary special local regulation to ensure marine safety during the 4th of July fireworks event in New York Harbor. - Government Buyer: - U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security - Sector New York, Captain of the Port (COTP) - Scope of Regulation: - Covers navigable waters of the East River and Upper New York Bay, including areas near Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn - Establishes exclusion zones around fireworks launch sites (multiple barges and one land-based site) - Creates designated spectator zones with vessel size and timing restrictions - Prohibits personal watercraft in regulated areas during enforcement - Controls vessel movement and coordinates with event participants and official patrol vessels - Unique Requirements: - Regulation is only enforced during the evening hours of the 4th of July event (with a weather contingency for the following day) - Focus on public safety in highly congested waterways - No OEMs, vendors, or commercial products/services are being procured; this is a regulatory action for public safety.

Description

The U.S. Coast Guard proposes a temporary special local regulation for navigable waters of the East River and Upper New York Bay in New York Harbor to ensure safety during the 4th of July fireworks display. The regulation will control vessel movement, prohibit entry into moving protection zones around fireworks barges, establish exclusion zones near launch sites, and create spectator zones. This rule aims to manage the highly congested waterways before, during, and after the event, with public comments invited by May 6, 2026.

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