2026-22249·DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Safety Zone; S.S. UNITED STATES Dead Ship Tow, Sector Mobile Captain of the Port Zone, Mobile, AL

Final RuleEffective

Published: Oct 30, 2026
Effective: Nov 6, 2026
Citation: 91 FR 68477
Docket: Docket Number USCG-2026-0095
Agencies: DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, Coast Guard

Temporary final rule.

Summary

The Coast Guard is creating a temporary moving safety zone that will travel with the dead‑ship tow of the S.S. UNITED STATES and any vessels assisting it as they move through the Mobile River Channel, Mobile Bay, and the Gulf of America. The zone is intended to keep people, other boats, and the marine environment safe from the hazards that can arise when a large, unmanned vessel is being towed. The rule is issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Coast Guard, specifically the Captain of the Port (COTP) for the Mobile sector. It applies to all vessels, watercraft operators, and individuals who might otherwise enter the designated area while the tow is in progress. Entry is prohibited unless the COTP grants a special authorization. The temporary safety zone becomes effective on 6 November 2026, as announced in the Federal Register on 30 October 2026 (91 FR 68477). No public comment period is required for this final rule. After the effective date, the COTP will enforce the zone and may issue permits for any needed exceptions; anyone planning to be in the area during the tow must seek authorization in advance.

AI-generated summary — verify against the Federal Register text.

Official abstract

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary moving safety zone around the S.S. UNITED STATES and all vessels involved in its towage through the Mobile River Channel, Mobile Bay, and the Gulf of America. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by the dead ship tow. Entry of persons and vessels into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP), Sector Mobile.