SAN DIEGO — The Coast Guard is expected to enforce temporary safety zones for the Big Bay Boom Fourth of July Fireworks on the waters of San Diego Bay on Friday, July 4, 2026.
The Coast Guard Captain of the Port San Diego, Capt. Robert Tucker will establish 1000 ft radius safety zones around each of the barges within north San Diego Bay. The safety zones will be enforced from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. and will be centered at the following locations:
Shelter Island Barge: 32°42′48″ N, 117°13′12″ W
Harbor Island Barge: 32°43′00″ N, 117°12′00″ W
Embarcadero Barge: 32°42′45″ N, 117°10′47″ W
Seaport Village Barge: 32°42′02″ N, 117°10′00″ W
“Everyone deserves the opportunity to safely enjoy Independence Day on the water,” said Capt. Robert Tucker, commander of U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Diego. “To support that goal, we are increasing patrols and maintaining safety zones around firework barges to help ensure the safety of all nearby boaters.”
The safety zones are necessary to ensure the safety of participants, spectators, official vessels of the event, and general users of the waterway. During the enforcement period, spectators may not anchor, block, loiter in, or impede the transit of official patrol vessels in the regulated areas without the approval of the Captain of the Port or a designated representative.
All vessel operators desiring to enter any safety zone must obtain permission from the Captain of the Port by contacting on-scene Coast Guard patrol craft on VHF-FM channels 21 or 16, or the Coast Guard Sector San Diego JHOC command center via channel 16. Violating these zones is a felony offense. Boaters who enter these zones will be escorted from the area immediately and may be subject to fines of up to $250,000 and or up to six years in federal prison.
If you have questions about this notice of enforcement, call or email Lt. Shelley Delgado Waterways Management, U.S. Coast Guard Sector, San Diego, CA; telephone (619)203-0754, email MarineEventsSD@uscg.mil
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