The following is an overview of the regulations in effect to support Sail250® Virginia activities. Additional information on the Temporary Federal Rules is available at _Regulations.gov__. Sail250® Virginia is expected to draw approximately 10,000 spectator vessels to the waters of the lower Chesapeake Bay. Major events associated with Sail250® Virginia will impact commercial and recreational boater traffic.

 

Naval Vessel Protection Zones

In accordance with 33 CFR §165.2020, boaters are not allowed within 100 yards and must operate at slow speed and proceed as directed when within 500 yards of a U.S. Navy vessel greater than 100 feet in length. To request authorization to operate within 100 yards of a large U.S. naval vessel, contact the Coast Guard, the senior naval officer present in command, or the official patrol on VHF-FM channel 16.

 

Tall Ship Anchorage – Tuesday, June 16-Friday, June 19, 2026

The international fleet of visiting tall ships will anchor in the Lynnhaven Roads anchorage, just north of the Lesner Bridge in Virginia Beach between June 16-19, 2026. The Parade of Sail will begin from this anchorage at 7:30AM on Friday, June 19, 2026. Spectator boats are asked to maintain a safe distance between their vessel and the anchored tall ships. There will be heavy boater traffic, so please stay alert and follow the navigational rules of the road (33 CFR Subchapter E, Inland Navigation Rules).

 

Tall Ship Parade of Sail – Friday, June 19, 2026

The tall ships will depart Lynnhaven Roads anchorage beginning at 7:30AM. The 26 nautical mile parade will proceed westbound through Thimble Shoal Channel, into Hampton Roads, and turn up the Elizabeth River. The first ships will reach Town Point Park in downtown Norfolk at noon, with the last ships proceeding to dock by 3PM. Special Local Regulations that close the parade route will be in effect, affecting both commercial and recreational boaters. No-wake zones defined in 33 CFR §165.501 will be in effect for areas adjacent to the parade route.

 

Fireworks – Friday, June 19, 2026, and Saturday, June 20, 2026

Norfolk Harborfest℠ 2026 and Sail250® Virginia will present two fireworks shows on the downtown Norfolk and Portsmouth waterfront. A portion of the Elizabeth River from Lamberts Point to the junction of the Southern and Eastern branches will be closed between 9PM and 10:30 PM each night. Boaters should expect heavy port congestion before, during, and after the fireworks, and are asked to exercise extreme caution when navigating in and around this area.

 

Tall Ship Departures – Monday, June 22, 2026, and Tuesday, June 23, 2026

Some of the international tall ship fleet will depart after 6PM on the evening of Monday, June 22, 2026. The remainder will depart beginning at 8AM on the morning of Tuesday, June 23, 2026. This will be an informal timed departure and not a formal parade of sail. Departing ships will transit down the Elizabeth River to Hampton Roads, and into the lower Chesapeake Bay. Some will proceed northbound to Baltimore, MD, while others may transit outbound Chesapeake Bay at Cape Henry. Recreational vessels are invited to view the fleet during its departure but are asked to maintain a safe distance from the fleet. Boaters are reminded to monitor VHF channels 16 and 13 during this time.

 

Q. How does this affect me as a commercial vessel operator?

 

A. The U.S. Coast Guard and Virginia Pilot Association will work to notify all commercial shipping interests about the route closures, and to schedule arrivals and departures to minimize interruptions of commercial traffic.Anticipated waterway controls will be published in the Local Notice to Mariners and Marine Safety Information Broadcasts will be distributed to subscribers via GovDelivery to best enable advanced voyage planning.

 

The U.S. Coast Guard and/or U.S. Navy will temporarily waive the existing anchorage regulations to accommodate the Sail250® Virginia vessels and the associated spectator fleet. Anchorages C, E, F, and N will be designated as spectator vessel anchorages. Anchorage G will be closed to all vessels. 

 

Additionally, a special local regulation around the parade route will close portions of the lower Chesapeake Bay, Thimble Shoal Channel, the James River, and the Elizabeth River, and the Southern and Western branches of the Elizabeth River on the morning of Friday, June 19, 2026. The route will be closed in advance of the parade and not reopen until the last participating ship in the parade has passed.

 

Q. How does this affect me as a recreational boater?

 

A. All vessels operating in the parade of sail route will be restricted in some manner during the parade. For safety reasons, the U.S. Coast Guard will establish spectator vessel control points along the parade route to control the flow of traffic immediately prior to, during, and after the parade and fireworks displays.

 

A special local regulation will close the inbound parade route to commercial and recreational boaters, when in use by participating Tall Ships and registered participant vessels. On the morning of Friday, June 19, 2026, the route will close in advance of the parade of sail and not reopen until the last participating ship has passed. The route includes portions of the lower Chesapeake Bay, Thimble Shoal Channel, the James River, and the Elizabeth River, and the Southern and Western branches of the Elizabeth River.

 

A naval vessel protection zone and the Regulated Navigation Area will likely affect all vessels from Norfolk Harbor Reach through Thimble Shoal on Monday, June 22, 2026, and Friday, June 29, 2026.

 

Q. How should I plan for these events?

 

A. Prepare to stay in one area for the duration of each event that requires closures of navigational waterways. Monitor VHF channel 13 to communicate with commercial boaters operating in your vicinity, and CHF channel 16 for emergency broadcasts, other boaters, and safety broadcasts by the U.S. Coast Guard. The U.S. Coast Guard will provide updates concerning waterways closures on VHF channel 13, 16, and 22. Use common sense and follow the navigational rules of the road.

 

Q. Can I transit on either side of the navigational channel during the parade of sail?

 

A. No. The Special Local Regulation will be in effect and transiting alongside the parade route within the navigational channel will not be permitted unless vessels are registered with the Escort Fleet. No vessels will be permitted 1,000yds ahead, 50 yds abeam, or 50yds astern of a parading tall ship. There will be official vessels along the parade route to enforce control points and operating restrictions. Vessels not part of the registered Escort Fleet are encouraged to utilize the assigned Spectator Zones in Anchorages C, E, F, and N, and wait to follow in the parade of sail once the final vessel has passed. To transit otherwise, or for any other exceptions to the Special Local Regulation or Regulated Navigation Area, contact the USCG Patrol Commander on VHF Channel 16.

 

Q. Why have the control points been established?

 

A. For the safety of the boating public. The control points assist the event sponsor and U.S. Coast Guard in controlling the number of spectator vessels to ensure that traffic density does not force spectator vessels into the channel.