Safety Zone; Brandon Road Lock and Dam to Lake Michigan Including Des Plaines River, Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, Chicago River, and Calumet-Saganashkee Channel, Chicago, IL

Published

Sep 9, 2026

Citation

91 FR 57259

Docket

Docket No. USCG-2026-0996

Agencies

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, Coast Guard

Notice of enforcement of regulation.

Summary

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary “safety zone” on the Chicago River (South Branch) and the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal for the Tough Cup XII Regatta on September 19, 2026. The zone stretches from Brandon Road Lock and Dam to Lake Michigan and includes the Des Plaines River, the Calumet‑Saganashkee Channel, and nearby waterways. Its purpose is to keep the waterway clear of other traffic so the rowing crews can race safely and to protect the lives of anyone on the water during the event. The regulation is issued by the U.S. Coast Guard, which operates under the Department of Homeland Security. It applies to all vessels, boats, and other watercraft that might enter, transit through, or anchor in the specified area on the day of the regatta. Anyone who needs to be in the zone—such as emergency responders, event support vessels, or commercial operators—must obtain authorization from the Captain of the Port, Lake Michigan, or a designated Coast Guard representative. The notice was published on September 9, 2026, and the safety zone becomes effective for the duration of the regatta on September 19, 2026 (exact hours will be announced by the Coast Guard). No public comment period is offered because the rule is an immediate enforcement action for a scheduled event. Vessel operators should plan to stay clear of the zone unless they receive a written waiver from the Captain of the Port, and the Coast Guard will enforce the restriction to ensure the event proceeds safely.

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