Coast Guard Proposes Temporary Restrictions for Raft Race on Neuse and Trent Rivers

The Coast Guard is proposing a rule to create a temporary restricted area on the Neuse and Trent Rivers near New Bern, North Carolina, for a raft race. The event is scheduled for June 6, 2026, and will recur on one Saturday in June each year thereafter.

Why it matters: This proposal sets the rules for managing boat traffic during a recurring raft race in New Bern. It gives the Coast Guard authority to block entry to the race course for six hours on the day of the event to keep participants and spectators safe. The rule is administrative in nature: it creates a temporary restricted area that boaters can navigate around, and it allows vessels to request permission to enter if needed.

Who it affects

• Boaters and vessels near the Neuse and Trent Rivers in New Bern, NC, on June 6, 2026, and one Saturday in June in future years.

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This proposed rule was published by the Coast Guard in the Federal Register under docket USCG-2026-0080; because the rule is open to public comment and may change, verify the original document for the current status and details before relying on it.

Agency: Homeland Security Department, Coast Guard
Source: Federal Register — read the official document