2026-14127: Safety Zone; Charleston Harbor, Charleston, SC
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The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters of the Atlantic Ocean at the Charleston Harbor Entrance Channel, Charleston Harbor, and Cooper River within a 100-yard radius of the SS WRIGHT and all towing vessels supporting its operations. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards associated with the dead ship movement of the SS WRIGHT from the Charleston Harbor Entrance Channel to Detyens Shipyard on the Cooper River in North Charleston, SC. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Charleston, or their designated representative.
The agency’s own summary, as published.
The rule, in full
1,486 words as published, July 14, 2026. View the original →
Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 133 (Tuesday, July 14, 2026) [Federal Register Volume 91, Number 133 (Tuesday, July 14, 2026)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 43041-43042] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2026-14127] [[Page 43041]] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Coast Guard 33 CFR Part 165 [Docket Number USCG-2026-0626] RIN 1625-AA00 Safety Zone; Charleston Harbor, Charleston, SC
Agency
Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security.
Action
Temporary final rule. -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters of the Atlantic Ocean at the Charleston Harbor Entrance Channel, Charleston Harbor, and Cooper River within a 100-yard radius of the SS WRIGHT and all towing vessels supporting its operations. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards associated with the dead ship movement of the SS WRIGHT from the Charleston Harbor Entrance Channel to Detyens Shipyard on the Cooper River in North Charleston, SC. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Charleston, or their designated representative.
Dates
This rule is effective from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 15, 2026, while the SS WRIGHT is dead ship towed through the Charleston Harbor.
Addresses
To view available documents, go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for USCG-2026-0626.
For Further Information Contact
If you have questions about this rule, contact MST2 Shelby Perry, Sector Charleston Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 843-740-3180, or email [email protected].
Supplementary Information
I. Table of Abbreviations
CFR Code of Federal Regulations COTP Captain of the Port DHS Department of Homeland Security FR Federal Register NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking Sec. Section U.S.C. United States Code
II. Background and Authority
The Coast Guard received notification that the SS WRIGHT would be arriving at the Port of Charleston as a dead ship tow. Due to the vessel being restricted in its ability to maneuver, the vessel will present additional danger to marine traffic attempting to transit the area. Therefore, the COTP is issuing this rule under the authority in 46 U.S.C. 70034, which is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in the navigable waters within the safety zone. Because of these potential hazards, the Coast Guard is issuing this rule without prior notice and comment. As is authorized by 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the Coast Guard finds that good cause exists for not publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) with respect to this rule because it is impracticable. The Coast Guard was notified of this event on June 1, 2026, but we must establish this safety zone by July 15, 2026, to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment. Therefore, we do not have enough time to solicit and respond to comments. For the same reason, the Coast Guard finds that under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), good cause exists for making this rule effective less than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.
III. Discussion of the Rule
This rule establishes a safety zone from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 15, 2026, while the SS WRIGHT is making way through the Charleston Harbor. The safety zone will cover all navigable waters within 100 yards of the SS WRIGHT and all towing vessels supporting its operations. Vessels and persons will not be allowed to enter the zone during this time, unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or their designated representative.
IV. 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 analysis provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, 5 U.S.C. 601-612, do not apply to rules that are not subject to notice and comment. Because the Coast Guard has, for good cause, waived the notice and comment requirement that would otherwise apply to this rulemaking, the Regulatory Flexibility Act's flexibility analysis provisions do not apply here. 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
We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13132, Federalism, and have determined that it is consistent with the fundamental federalism principles and preemption requirements described in that Order. 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
As required by The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531-1538), the Coast Guard certifies that this rule will not result in an annual expenditure of $100,000,000 or more (adjusted for inflation) by a State, local, or tribal government, in the aggregate, or by the private sector.
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 et seq.), 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 is a safety zone. This rule involves temporary, moving safety zone on waters of the Atlantic Ocean at the Charleston Harbor Entrance Channel, Charleston Harbor, and Cooper River, [[Page 43042]] within a 100-yard radius of the SS WRIGHT and all towing vessels supporting its operations until the vessel completes mooring at Detyens Shipyards on the Cooper River in North Charleston, SC. It is categorically excluded from further review under paragraph L60(c) because of the inherent dangers of a dead ship tow occurring throughout the Sector Charleston AOR and the need for immediate response of Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev. 1. A Record of Environmental Consideration supporting this determination is available in the docket. List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165 Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Security measures, Waterways. For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends 33 CFR part 165 as follows: PART 165--REGULATED NAVIGATION AREAS AND LIMITED ACCESS AREAS 0
1. The authority citation for part 165 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 46 U.S.C. 70034, 70051, 70124; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04- 1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4. 0
2. Add Sec. 165.T07-0626 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T07-0626 Safety Zone; Charleston Harbor, Charleston, SC. (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: The moving safety zone will include all navigable waters of the Atlantic Ocean at the Charleston Harbor Entrance Channel, Charleston Harbor, and Cooper River, within a 100-yard radius of the SS WRIGHT and all towing vessels supporting its operations, while transiting to berthing at Detyens Shipyards on the Cooper River in North Charleston, SC. (b) Definitions. As used in this section, designated representative means a Coast Guard Patrol Commander, including a Coast Guard coxswain, petty officer, or other officer operating a Coast Guard vessel and a Federal, State, and local officer designated by or assisting the Captain of the Port Charleston (COTP) in the enforcement of the safety zone. (c) Regulations. (1) Under the general safety zone regulations in subpart C of this part, you may not enter the safety zone described in paragraph (a) of this section unless authorized by the COTP or the COTP's designated representative. (2) To seek permission to enter, contact the COTP or the COTP's representative on VHF-FM channel 16 or by telephone at (833) 453-1621. Those in the safety zone must comply with all lawful orders or directions given to them by the COTP or the COTP's designated representative. (d) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 15, 2026, while the SS WRIGHT is making way through the Charleston Harbor. S.A. Lansing, Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector Charleston. [FR Doc. 2026-14127 Filed 7-13-26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
What this changes
Amends 1 part of the Code of Federal Regulations — the standing rules this notice rewrites.
Rulemaking docket
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Supporting & Related Material July 14, 2026DSS-USCG-2026-25657
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Rule July 14, 2026Safety Zone; Charleston Harbor, Charleston, SC
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Supporting & Related Material July 14, 2026DSS-USCG-2026-25657
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Rule July 14, 2026Safety Zone; Charleston Harbor, Charleston, SC
Documents
- Full text (Federal Register) · July 14, 2026
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