katysails wrote:
Why would it be against federal law to interfer with the start of the
Chi-Mac?

If the race organizers have gone to the USCG and requested a "special
event" status for the start of this race, and the USCG has concurred and
made an announcement in LN to Mariners, notating this start and
regulations concerning it, you would be acting against federal law if
you interfered ..... a possibility.