Caption Above: Guice Offshore’s Multi-Purpose Vessel GO America sails in New York Harbor
Vessel Captains and Pilots, have you sailed in New York Harbor?
The U.S. Coast Guard is requesting information on the current state of navigation within New York Harbor and the approaches, along with the observations, concerns, and opinions of those operating on these waterways. Accordingly, Coast Guard is also requesting relevant comments and information from the public (and particularly from commercial vessel operators) to include deep draft, towing industry, and fishing vessel fleets that may be affected by or have information on this topic.
The Coast Guard embarked upon this process after a waterways operator submitted a petition for rulemaking in April 2025 requesting that the Coast Guard relocate the demarcation line in the New York Harbor from its current location to a new line starting from Highland Light (LLNR35025) to the Jones Inlet Light (LLNR 30890), intersecting the red and white (RW) “A” Morse Alpha Bouy.
To view the proposal and its accompanying chartlet click on the links below:
- Petition for Rulemaking Proposal to Relocate Demarcation line 33 CFR 80.165 Sandy Hook Pilots letter
- New York COLREGS change chartlet 2
(Note: COLREGs stands for the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972. They are international “rules of the road” published by the IMO (International Maritime Organization) that dictate navigation, steering, lights, and sound signals to prevent collisions between vessels on high seas and connected navigable waters. These regulations are mandatory for all vessels.)
This proposal would amend 33 CFR 80.165. The petitioner contends that this adjustment would better reflect contemporary navigational practices and enhance maritime safety by clarifying the application of navigational rules within key approach channels.
Now, the Coast Guard is requesting public input on whether it should consider making the change to the demarcation line from “a line from East Rockaway Inlet Breakwater Light to Sandy Hook Light” to instead “a line from Highlands Light (LLBR 35025) to the Jones Inlet Light (LLNR 30890), which intersects the RW `A’ Morse Alpha Buoy.”
The Coast Guard also requests information on how an earlier or later change in the demarcation line (switching from COLREGS to Inland Navigation Rules) impacts vessel operations and transits.
Coast Guard encourages you to submit comments or related material on the petitioner’s Proposal to Relocate the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) Demarcation Line, Atlantic Coast, New York Harbor. The Coast Guard views public participation as essential to understanding the current state of navigation within New York Harbor and the approaches, along with the observations, concern and opinions of those operating on these waterways.
- Comments must be received by the Coast Guard on or before May 19, 2026.
The Coast Guard encourages you to submit comments or related material on the petitioner’s Proposal to Relocate the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) Demarcation Line, Atlantic Coast, New York Harbor. The Coast Guard views public participation as essential to understanding the current state of navigation within New York Harbor and the approaches, along with the observations, concern and opinions of those operating on these waterways.
Anonymous comments are also welcome.
For detailed information on how to submit your comments (as well as read comments from others), click HERE.
