§ 165.847 — Safety Zones; Rocket Launches in the Gulf of America and South Bay, Boca Chica Beach, TX.

§ 165.847 Safety Zones; Rocket Launches in the Gulf of America and South Bay, Boca Chica Beach, TX.

(a) Location. The safety zone areas are described in paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section and the approximate locations are displayed in figure 1 to this paragraph (a). All coordinates are based on World Geodetic System (WGS) 84.

(1) Safety Zone A consists of all navigable waters of the Gulf of America from the surface to bottom, encompassed by a line connecting the following points beginning at Point 1A: 26°2′36″ N, 097°9′8″ W; thence to Point 2A: 26°3′0″ N, 097°7′0″ W; thence to Point 3A: 26°7′48″ N, 096°56′2.2″ W; thence south following the 12NM line to the Maritime Boundary Line between the United States of America and Mexico; thence west along the Maritime Boundary Line to Point 4A: 25°57′24.2″ N, 097°8′49″ W; thence returning north along the coast to Point 1. The area of Boca Chica Beach shoreward of the Territorial Sea Baseline is not included in this safety zone, however beach access during launches may be restricted by local authorities.

(2) Safety Zone B consists of all navigable waters of South Bay, from the surface to bottom, encompassed by a line connecting the following points beginning at Point 1B: 26°2′45″ N, 097°11′6.3″ W; thence to Point 2B: 26°2′45″ N, 097°10′53.4″ W; thence clockwise along the coastline of South Bay until returning back to Point 1B.

Figure 1 to Paragraph (a)—Approximate Safety Zone Locations (Refer to GPS Coordinates for Specific Locations)

(b) Definitions. As used in this section, designated representative means a Coast Guard coxswain, petty officer, or other officer operating a Coast Guard vessel and Federal, State, and local officer designated by the Captain of the Port, Sector Corpus Christi (COTP) in the enforcement of the safety zones.

(c) Regulations. (1) Under the general safety zone regulations in subpart C of this part, you may not enter the safety zones described in paragraph (a) of this section unless authorized by the COTP or a designated representative. They may be contacted on Channel 16 VHF-FM or by telephone at 1-800-874-2143.

(2) If permission is granted, all persons and vessels shall comply with the instructions of the COTP or designated representative.

(d) Notification of enforcement. (1) When time permits, the COTP or a designated representative will inform the public of the activation of the safety zones by Notification of Enforcement (NOE) published in the Federal Register. The NOE will identify the approximate date(s) and time(s) during which rocket launching activities would occur. Rocket launch activities are often weather-dependent, and therefore alternate dates and times may also be provided.

(2) The COTP or designated representative will inform the public each time the safety zones are being activated via Broadcast Notice to Mariners on VHF-FM channel 16 and by Marine Safety Information Safety Bulletin (MSIB). The Coast Guard intends to provide this notice at least twenty-four hours before rocket launching activities.

(3) Once rocket launching activities have concluded, the COTP or designated representative will issue a Broadcast Notice to Mariners on VHF-FM channel 16 announcing the safety zones are no longer subject to enforcement.

[USCG-2025-0332, 91 FR 24129, May 5, 2026]