The United States Coast Guard reversed course on Friday and announced that boaters will now be allowed to tie off on the banks of the Ohio River during Sunday's Western & Southern/WEBN Fireworks.
On Wednesday, Lt. Nicholas Olmstead with the Coast Guard said predictions indicated water levels would not allow adequate emergency response vessels to provide safe coverage during the event. The Coast Guard therefore banned boats from anchoring along the river's shores.
On Friday, Olmstead said, "After a review of updated river forecasts, a joint decision was made by local, state and federal officials to revert back to traditional safety zones established for Riverfest’s past so that recreational boaters and commercial boaters will be able to utilize the three previous anchorages. A safety zone will be enclosed to a span that goes from the Roebling Bridge to the Big Mac Bridge with a no-wake zone staying in the same location that it was previously.”
Omstead did ask boaters to be vigilant against possible floating debris in the river. The river is expected to be at about 28 feet with a normal current on Sunday.
The Coast Guard also directed people to iHeart Media's website for updated information related to boating during Riverfest and the Western & Southern/WEBN Fireworks.
