Safety of Special Activities
[Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXIII] [LXXXIII], § 8343, Jan. 1, 2021, [134 Stat. 4710], as amended by [Pub. L. 119–60, div. G, title LXXIII, § 7321(a)], Dec. 18, 2025, [139 Stat. 1765], provided that:“(a)
In General.—
The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall conduct a pilot program to establish and implement a process to—
“(1)
establish safety zones to address special activities in the exclusive economic zone;
“(2)
account for the number of safety zones established for special activities;
“(3)
differentiate whether an applicant who requests a safety zone for such activities is—
“(C)
a government entity; and
“(4)
account for Coast Guard resources utilized to enforce safety zones established for special activities, including—
“(A)
the number of Coast Guard or Coast Guard Auxiliary vessels used; and
“(B)
the number of Coast Guard or Coast Guard Auxiliary patrol hours required.
“(b)
Briefing.—
Not later than 180 days after the expiration of the pilot program, the Commandant [of the Coast Guard] shall brief the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate regarding—
“(1)
the process required under subsection (a); and
“(2)
whether the authority to establish safety zones to address special activities in the exclusive economic zone should be extended or made permanent in the interest of safety.
“(c)
Authorization.—
The pilot program under subsection (a) is authorized for fiscal years 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030, 2031, and 2032.
“(d)
Definitions.—
In this section:
“(1)
Safety zone.—
The term ‘safety zone’ has the meaning given such term in section 165.20 of title 33, Code of Federal Regulations.
“(2)
Special activities.—
The term ‘special activities’ includes—
“(A)
space activities, including launch and reentry, as such terms are defined in
section 50902 of title 51, United States Code, carried out by United States citizens; and
“(B)
offshore energy development activities, as described in section 8(p)(1)(C) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (
43 U.S.C. 1337(p)(1)(C)), on or near a fixed platform.
“(3)
United states citizen.—
The term ‘United States citizen’ has the meaning given the term ‘eligible owners’ in
section 12103 of title 46, United States Code.
“(4)
Fixed platform.—
The term ‘fixed platform’ means an artificial island, installation, or structure permanently attached to the sea-bed for the purpose of exploration or exploitation of resources or for other economic purposes.”
[[Pub. L. 119–60, div. G, title LXXIII, § 7321(a)(1)], Dec. 18, 2025, [139 Stat. 1765], which directed amendment of [section 8343 of Pub. L. 116–283], by striking “2-year pilot program” and inserting “pilot program”, was executed by making the substitution in two places to reflect the probable intent of Congress.]
Safety Zones for Permitted Marine Events
[Pub. L. 114–120, title III, § 305], Feb. 8, 2016, [130 Stat. 54], provided that: “Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [Feb. 8, 2016], the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall establish and implement a process to—“(1)
account for the number of safety zones established for permitted marine events;
“(2)
differentiate whether the event sponsor who requested a permit for such an event is—
“(C)
a government entity; and
“(3)
account for Coast Guard resources utilized to enforce safety zones established for permitted marine events, including for—
“(A)
the number of Coast Guard or Coast Guard Auxiliary vessels used; and
“(B)
the number of Coast Guard or Coast Guard Auxiliary patrol hours required.”