The Coast Guard has proposed a permanent safety zone around the WHALE Floating Production System (FPS), an offshore oil and gas facility that belongs to Shell Exploration and Production in the deepwater Gulf of America at Alaminos Canyon 773. The zone would extend 500 meters (1,640.4 feet) from every point on the facility, which sits at approximately 26°13′25.55″ N, 94°40′25.39″ W.
Shell asked the Coast Guard to establish the zone, citing safety risks to nearby vessels and to personnel aboard the platform. The Coast Guard said the zone would cut the risk of allisions, collisions, security breaches, oil spills, and releases of natural gas.
Under the proposal, only attending vessels, as defined under 33 CFR 147.20, and vessels under 100 feet not engaged in towing could enter the zone without permission. Every other vessel would need authorization from the Commander, Coast Guard Heartland District, or a designated representative.
The Coast Guard certified that the rule would not significantly affect a substantial number of small entities, saying vessel traffic can safely transit around the zone and that some smaller vessels are allowed in without permission.
The agency is taking public comment on the proposal, filed as docket USCG-2026-0603 at regulations.gov, through September 8, 2026.
