NEW YORK — U.S. Coast Guard Sector New York has issued five Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIBs) covering waterway restrictions, safety zones, and operational guidance for mariners during Sail 250, the U.S. Navy's International Naval Review 250 (INR 250), the International Aerial Review (IAR), and Independence Day fireworks displays taking place throughout New York Harbor from July 1 through July 9, 2026.
MSIBs are notices issued by the U.S. Coast Guard to quickly distribute important maritime safety, security, environmental, or regulatory information to mariners, port stakeholders, and the public. All MSIBs pertaining to these events can be found at the Northeast Coast Guard District's Local Notice to Mariners website https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/msi, under the Special Notices section.
These MSIBs cover the expected waterway restrictions, safety zones, and general operational guidance needed to ensure the safety and security of the maritime public, event participants, and spectator vessels during the Sail 250 events, INR 250 and IAR, and Independence Day fireworks displays taking place throughout New York Harbor.
MSIB 26-003, "Spectator Vessel General Overview," outlines voyage-planning factors mariners should weigh before heading out on the water, including vessel readiness, weather, crowding, and sewage discharge restrictions. The Coast Guard notes that, given the scale of the events, the heightened security posture, anticipated crowd sizes, and limited on-water spectator space, viewing the events from shore may be a safer and more convenient option for smaller vessels or less experienced mariners.
MSIB 26-004, "Harbor-Wide Regulations," details the security zones, suspended anchorage grounds, and three Regulated Areas (A, B, and C) established in New York Harbor, Sandy Hook Bay, and the Hudson River. Standoff distances apply throughout the enforcement period of July 1–9, 2026: 50 yards from designated Tall Ships, 100 yards from foreign naval vessels, and a 500-yard Naval Vessel Protection Zone (with a 100-yard no-approach limit) around U.S. naval vessels.
MSIB 26-005, "Regulations for Regulated Area 'A' (Lower Bay & Sandy Hook Bay)," covers the primary Tall Ship staging area south of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, enforced from 6 a.m. on July 2 through 4 p.m. on July 4, 2026. Access is open to non-participant vessels on July 2 and 3 with restrictions around staging areas, but is strictly limited without Captain of the Port (COTP) permission on July 4.
MSIB 26-006, "Regulations for Regulated Areas 'B' (Upper Bay/Hudson River) and 'C' (East River)," covers the primary operating areas for the Tall Ship Parade of Sail, INR 250, IAR, and fireworks displays. Regulated Area B is enforced from 10 a.m. on July 1 through 11:59 p.m. on July 9, 2026; Regulated Area C, covering the East River from the Williamsburg Bridge to the Throgs Neck Bridge, is enforced from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 3, 2026. This bulletin also addresses prohibitions on swimming, diving, drones, personal watercraft, and seaplane operations, along with designated paddle craft spectator areas on July 4.
MSIB 26-007, "Critical Safety & Transit Rules in the Port of New York on July 4th, 2026," provides detailed transit and spectator-area guidance for the busiest day of the event. Key points include:
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Separate enforcement windows for the Macy's fireworks display in the East River (4 p.m.–11:30 p.m., with spectator areas opening at 8 p.m.) and the Jersey City fireworks display in the Hudson River (9 p.m.–10:30 p.m., with a 1,000-foot safety zone around the fireworks barges).
The Coast Guard is the lead federal agency for maritime safety, security, and law enforcement during these events and has worked with Sail250®, the U.S. Navy, and numerous federal, state, and local agencies to develop the regulations supporting a safe and secure event.
Mariners planning to view the events from the water are reminded that spectator areas have not undergone special surveys, charts may not reflect all seabed obstructions or shallowest depths, and some areas may be subject to strong currents and limited holding ground. Voluntary registration for spectator areas is strongly encouraged, though it does not guarantee a spot, through the event sponsor at https://tickettree.us/events/sail-250. Boaters intending to anchor in New York waters are reminded that a Boater Safety Card has been required to operate a vessel in New York State since January 1, 2025.
All mariners are strongly advised to monitor VHF-FM Channel 16 for Broadcast Notices to Mariners for real-time updates and enforcement statuses, and to report suspicious activity to the National Response Center at 1-877-24WATCH or, in cases of immediate danger to life or property, to call 911 or the Coast Guard on Channel 16.
These MSIBs cover the expected waterway restrictions, safety zones, and general operational guidance needed to ensure the safety and security of the maritime public, event participants, and spectator vessels during the Sail 250 events, INR 250 and IAR, and Independence Day fireworks displays taking place throughout New York Harbor. All MSIBs pertaining to these events can be found at Northeast Coast Guard District's Local Notice to Mariners website https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/msi, under the Special Notices section.
For questions regarding these bulletins, contact the Sector New York Sail 250 Planning Team at Sail-250-NYNJ@uscg.mil. For local public affairs or media assistance, reach out to PADETNY@uscg.mil.
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