Waterways Information Bulletin for New Year’s Eve Fireworks Safety and Enjoyment

The Coast Guard has established a safety zone on the Main Branch of the Chicago River in

Chicago, Illinois, in order to protect vessels and persons from the potential hazards associated with bridge based firework display. The safety zone will encompass all waters of the Main Branch of the Chicago River 600 feet west of the Franklin/Orleans Street Bridge and 1000 feet east of the Columbus Drive Bridge (Diagram A). The safety zone will be

effective from 11:30 p.m. on December 31, 2025 to 12:15 a.m. on January 1, 2026.

Vessels will not be allowed to enter, transit through, moor, lay-up, or anchor within this

safety zone without the permission of the Coast Guard Captain of the Port, Lake

Michigan or a designated representative.

Contact Information

The Coast Guard Captain of the Port Sector Lake Michigan or a designated

representative may be reached by contacting the Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan

Command Center at (833) 900-2247 or via VHF Channel 16.

Civil and Criminal Penalties

Pursuant to 46 U.S.C. § 70036(a) and 33 C.F.R. § 27.3, any person who operates a

vessel in this safety zone without permission from the Coast Guard Captain of the Port

or a designated representative is subject to a civil penalty of up to $117,608. Moreover,

any person who willfully and knowingly operates a vessel in this safety zone without

permission from the Coast Guard Captain of the Port or a designated representative is a

Class D felony and is subject to prosecution in federal court. Each day of a continuing

violation constitutes a separate violation.