USCGFinal Rule

Safety Zone; Annual Fireworks Displays and Other Events in the USCG Heartland District Requiring Safety Zones

TransportationEnvironmentOther

Summary

The U.S. Coast Guard has created safety rules for fireworks displays and other events happening in the Heartland District to protect people on the water. These rules establish restricted zones around events where boats and swimmers need to stay out to prevent accidents and injuries.

Key Points

  • 1The Coast Guard designates specific water areas as 'safety zones' during annual fireworks shows and similar events in the Heartland District
  • 2People operating boats and vessels must avoid these restricted zones during the events to prevent collisions and injuries
  • 3The regulation applies to recurring annual events, so the same safety zones will be in place each year for planning purposes
  • 4Violating these safety zone restrictions can result in penalties and fines for boat operators
  • 5Event organizers and the public can find maps and schedules of these safety zones to plan activities around fireworks displays

Impact Assessment

If you operate a boat or plan water activities in the Heartland District during fireworks events, you must avoid designated safety zones to prevent accidents.

Impact Level
Routine
Geographic Scope

Regional

Compliance Cost

Minimal

Who is Affected
Transportation CompaniesConsumersState Governments

Key Dates

Published

February 6, 2026

This summary is for informational purposes only. It may not capture all nuances of the regulation. Always refer to the official text for authoritative information.