USCG Temporary Safety Zone in San Pedro Channel, CA

Content

ACTION:

Temporary final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters in San Pedro Channel and San Pedro Bay, CA. The
safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards associated with the
presence and removal of damaged containers and cargo onboard the vessel OOCL SUNFLOWER. Entry of vessels or persons into this
zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Los Angeles—Long Beach, or their designated
representative.

DATES:

This rule is effective without actual notice from March 17, 2026, through April 30, 2026. For the purposes of enforcement,
actual notice will be used from March 12, 2026, through March 17, 2026.

ADDRESSES:

To view available documents, go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for USCG-2026-0292.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

If you have questions about this rule, contact LCDR Kevin Kinsella, Sector Los Angeles—Long Beach Waterways Management Division,
U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 310-521-3860, email D11-SMB-SectorLALB-WWM@uscg.mil.

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

RFA Regulatory Flexibility Act

§ Section

U.S.C. United States Code

II. Background and Authority

The Coast Guard received notification that the container vessel OOCL SUNFLOWER would be transiting through San Pedro Channel
and arriving in San Pedro Bay, CA on or about March 12, 2026, with damaged and potentially unsecured containers onboard. The
Captain of the Port (COTP) Los Angeles—Long Beach has determined that the presence of damaged containers, some of which may
contain hazardous materials, and operations to secure or remove these containers, may pose a safety risk to persons, vessels,
and the marine environment within 500 yards. 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 the risks associated with 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 and contrary to the public interest. The
Coast Guard was notified of the damaged containers on March 4, 2026, but we must establish this safety zone by March 12, 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 reasons, 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 on March 12, 2026, through April 30, 2026. The date and time of actual enforcement will
depend on the vessel's transit progress and arrival and will be announced to the public in advance. The safety zone will cover
all navigable waters in San Pedro Channel and San Pedro Bay, encompassing a 500 yard radius around the vessel OOCL SUNFLOWER,
IMO # 9949728. Vessels and persons will not be allowed to enter

  the zone during this time, unless authorized by the Captain of the Port.

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. It is categorically excluded from further review under paragraph L60(a) 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

Regulatory Text 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; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 00170.1,
Revision No. 01.4.

1. Add § 165.T11-223 to read as follows:

§ 165.T11-223 Safety Zone; San Pedro Channel and San Pedro Bay, CA

(a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All waters of San Pedro Channel and San Pedro Bay, from surface to bottom, encompassing
a 500 yard radius of the vessel OOCL SUNFLOWER, IMO # 9949728.

(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 Los Angeles—Long Beach
(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 (310)
521-3801. 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 March 12, 2026, through April 30, 2026.

S.L. Crecy, Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector Los Angeles—Long Beach. [FR Doc. 2026-05216 Filed 3-16-26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9110-04-P

Download File

Download