USCG Safety Zone for Fireworks Display in Washington DC

Regs.gov: Coast Guard

Published February 12th, 2026

Detected March 14th, 2026

Summary

The U.S. Coast Guard is enforcing a temporary safety zone for a fireworks display at The Wharf DC on February 22, 2026. This measure is to ensure the safety of vessels on navigable waterways during the event.

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What changed

The U.S. Coast Guard has issued a notification of enforcement regarding a temporary safety zone for a fireworks display at The Wharf DC. The safety zone, located in the Washington Channel of the Upper Potomac River, will be enforced from 6:30 p.m. to 6:40 p.m. on February 22, 2026, as specified in 33 CFR 165.506. Vessels are prohibited from entering or transiting the zone without authorization and must comply with directions from Coast Guard officials.

This enforcement action requires vessels operating in the vicinity of the event to be aware of and adhere to the established safety zone boundaries and directives from the Coast Guard. While the enforcement period is brief, non-compliance could result in penalties as per Coast Guard regulations. The Coast Guard will also provide notification through Local Notice to Mariners and marine information broadcasts.

What to do next

Vessels must not enter or transit the safety zone between 6:30 p.m. and 6:40 p.m. on February 22, 2026, unless authorized.
Vessels in the vicinity must comply with directions from the Patrol Commander or any Official Patrol displaying a Coast Guard ensign.
Review the specific location of the safety zone in 33 CFR 165.506, Table 2, line 1.

Source document (simplified)

Content

ACTION:

Notification of enforcement of regulation.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard will enforce a safety zone for a fireworks display at “The Wharf DC,” in Washington, DC, to provide for the
safety of life on navigable waterways during this event. Our regulation for recurring safety zones for fireworks displays
within the USCG East District identifies the precise location. During the enforcement period, vessels may not enter, remain
in, or transit through the safety zone unless authorized to do so by the COTP or his representative, and vessels in the vicinity
must comply with directions from the Patrol Commander or any Official Patrol displaying a Coast Guard ensign.

DATES:

The regulation in 33 CFR 165.506 will be enforced for the location identified in line no. 1 of table 2 to 33 CFR 165.506(h)(2)
from 06:30 p.m. until 06:40 p.m., on February 22, 2026.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

If you have questions about this notification of enforcement, call or email LCDR Kate M. Newkirk, Sector Maryland-NCR, Waterways
Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard: telephone 410-576-2596, email MDNCRMarineEvents@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Coast Guard will enforce the safety zone regulation for a fireworks display at The Wharf DC from 6:30 p.m. to 6:40 p.m.
on February 22, 2026. This action is being taken to provide for the safety of life on navigable waterways during this event.
Our regulation for recurring safety zones for fireworks displays within the USCG East District, 33 CFR 165.506, specifies
the location of the safety zone for the fireworks show, which encompasses portions of the Washington Channel in the Upper
Potomac River, in line 1 of Table 2 to Paragraph (h)(2). As reflected in 33 CFR 165.23, vessels in the vicinity of the safety
zone may not enter, remain in, or transit through the safety zone during the enforcement period unless authorized to do so
by the COTP or his representative, and they must comply with directions from the Patrol Commander or any Official Patrol displaying
a Coast Guard ensign.

In addition to this notification of enforcement in the
Federal Register , the Coast Guard plans to provide notification of this enforcement period via the Local Notice to Mariners and marine information
broadcasts.

Dated: February 12, 2026. Patrick C. Burkett, Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Sector Maryland-National Capital Region. [FR Doc. 2026-03183 Filed 2-17-26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9110-04-P