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U.S. Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley

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U.S. Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley

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Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley protects America’s inland waterways across all or portions of 10 states through search and rescue, marine safety, maritime law enforcement, environmental protection, waterways management and other essential missions. Coast Guard to provide a forum to talk about our work providing maritime safety, security and stewardship for the American people to secure the homeland

, save lives and property, protect the environment, and promote economic prosperity. The information provided is for public information only and is not a distress communication channel. People in an emergency and in need of Coast Guard assistance should use VHF-FM Channel 16 (156.8 MHz), dial 911, or call their nearest Coast Guard unit. All comments submitted are moderated. The Coast Guard retains the discretion to determine which comments it will post and which it will not. We expect all contributors to be respectful. We will not post comments that contain personal attacks of any kind; refer to Coast Guard or other employees by name; contain offensive terms that target specific ethnic or racial groups, or contain vulgar language. We will also not post comments that are spam, are clearly off topic, or that promote services or products. Coast Guard disclaims any liability for any loss or damage resulting from any comments posted on this page. This forum may not be used for the submission of any claim, demand, informal or formal complaint, or any other form of legal and/or administrative notice or process, or for the exhaustion of any legal and/or administrative remedy. If you have specific questions regarding a U.S. Coast Guard program that involves details you do not wish to share publicly please contact the program point of contact listed at http://www.uscg.mil/global/mail/
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08/18/2026

⚓️ Cincinnati Riverfest: Official Boater Advisory ⚓️

Heading out on the water for Cincinnati Riverfest? Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley wants to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable show. With heavy traffic expected, please review these key safety rules before you get underway.

🚫 No-Wake Zone (12:00PM Sep 6 - 3:00AM Sep 7):
A strict No-Wake Zone will be in effect on the Ohio River (MM 463-477) and the Licking River (MM 0.0-0.3). Please maintain slow, safe speeds as vessels transit to and from the viewing areas.

🔒Safety Zone & River Closure (7:00PM - 10:00PM):
The river will be fully closed to all recreational cross-traffic on the Ohio River (MM 469.2-470.5) and the Licking River (MM 0.0-0.3) to allow the fireworks barges to safely position. Ensure you are in your spot before 7:00PM.

📍Where to Anchor:
Three dedicated recreational viewing areas are available - two upriver and one downriver. These areas are managed by the Hamilton Boat Club. Please follow the directions of local personnel on the water to secure your spot.

🎆 Drone & Fireworks Show (9:01PM):
The show kicks off with a 9-minute drone display followed by 40 minutes of fireworks. Afterward, a 15-minute barge cooldown will take place. While you can begin departing upriver or downriver after the show, please be patient. Law enforcement will be managing the flow of traffic, and the No-Wake Zone remains in strict effect.

Have fun, boat smart, and stay safe!

08/12/2026

⚠️ Safety Advisory ⚠️

Attention all recreational boaters and vessel operators on the Ohio River:

U.S. Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley urges all mariners to exercise extreme caution on the Ohio River due to the rapid rise of water levels over the next 7 to 10 days. The upper reaches of the Ohio River Valley are forecasted to receive heavy amounts of rain in the coming days. High water can create unpredictable and hazardous conditions, including significantly increased current speeds and dangerous drift fields. Please monitor current and forecasted river gauges, maintain a sharp lookout, reduce speed, make sure everyone is wearing a USCG-approved life jacket, and monitor VHF-FM Channel 16 for updates to ensure safety.

08/03/2026

🌊 Even with rainy weather, our crews were out making waves for safety! This past weekend, Sector Ohio Valley Reserve members teamed up with our partners at Nashville District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the annual Lake Cumberland Raft-Up.

🚤 While Mother Nature kept the crowds a bit smaller than usual this year, our boarding teams remained vigilant across the three-day event, conducting 16 vessel boardings to ensure everyone was playing by the rules.

The weekend by the numbers:
✅ 16 vessel boardings completed
✅ 2 safety violations issued
🤝Joint patrols executed with the USACE Park Rangers

A massive thank you to the USACE Park Rangers for their continued partnership and support. Collaborative missions like these are key to keeping our local waterways safe for everyone.

⚓️ Bravo Zulu to the crew for standing the watch, rain or shine! ⚓️

07/31/2026

🚁 A bird’s-eye view of the mission.

Today, new members of Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley’s Response Department joined the Louisville Metro Police Department Aviation Unit for an aerial tour of the Louisville area and the Ohio River. Seeing our waterways from above provides valuable perspective of the rivers, ports, and commerce we help protect every day.

A big thank you to the Louisville Metro Police Department Aviation Unit for their partnership and support in helping prepare our newest responders. ⚓️

07/29/2026

Always Ready, Always Training ⚓️

Readiness is built through training, coordination, and strong partnerships. Last month, the Response, Prevention, and Emergency Management Force Readiness (EMFR) teams at Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley trained alongside more than 130 participants from 15 local, state, federal, and private-sector organizations during multiple emergency response exercises across the region.

One functional exercise tested the Kentuckiana Sub-Area Contingency Plan (KSACP), strengthening Unified Command coordination, evaluating advanced GIS mapping capabilities, and providing opportunities for more than 10 Sector Ohio Valley members to complete Incident Command Systems (ICS) qualification sign-offs. 📈🗺️

Our teams also participated in tabletop and full-scale emergency management exercises with county response partners, reinforcing communication, coordination, and operational readiness before real-world incidents occur. 🚒🚔

From planning discussions to large-scale incident simulations, Sector Ohio Valley remains committed to safeguarding the inland river system and the communities we serve. Training with our partners today ensures a faster, safer, and more effective response when it matters most. 🤝🇺🇸

07/13/2026

🌊 Keeping Lake Cumberland Safe! This weekend, our Reserve Sector Boarding Team hit the water for Thunder Run, logging 19 hours underway to ensure boaters were enjoying the event safely 🚤

The weekend by the numbers:
✅ 30 vessel boardings
✅ Multiple life jacket & safety checks
✅ 2 violations & 2 warnings issued

🤝 A huge thanks to our partners! The Nashville District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers graciously hosted our crew on their vessel, and the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources provided crucial logistical and enforcement support. Inter-agency teamwork at its finest!

Bravo Zulu to LT Kyle Johnson, ENS Edwin King and BM1 Kyle Roe for a successful op ⚓️

Swipe to see the team in action! 📸👇

07/06/2026

Operation Dry Water x America’s 250th 🇺🇸

This past weekend, U.S. Coast Guard boat crews across the Heartland participated with partner agencies to ensure everyone could celebrate the holiday weekend safely during Operation Dry Water.

Video provided by U.S. Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley boarding team.

07/02/2026

🚁 Partnering for Recovery 🚁

Over the past few months, Sector Ohio Valley’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems team integrated directly with US National Weather Service Louisville Kentucky to respond to historic flooding across Kentucky and Indiana. By providing a bird’s-eye view of the disaster zones, our drone operators conducted extensive aerial damage assessments to help NWS meteorologists map high-water lines and accurately document the widespread community impacts. This critical imagery not only captures the aftermath but provides the crucial data needed to improve future severe weather forecasting and keep communities safer. We are proud to support our interagency partners and remain committed to helping our local residents during times of crisis.

06/30/2026

⚠️ MARINER ADVISORY: Increased Debris in the Ohio River ⚠️

U.S. Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley urges all mariners to exercise extreme caution on the Ohio River due to a significant increase in hazardous debris caused by heavy rainfall and flooding. With the upcoming July 4th holiday bringing a major surge in recreational vessel traffic, the combination of congested waterways and unpredictable, hidden hazards poses a severe risk to all boaters. Please maintain a sharp lookout, reduce your speed, ensure everyone is wearing a USCG-approved life jacket, and monitor VHF-FM Channel 16 for updates to ensure a safe and happy Independence Day on the water.

05/05/2026

Sector Ohio Valley’s Enforcement Division has remained fully engaged over the past several months, conducting law enforcement security boardings on inspected towing vessels along the Ohio River. These operations are critical to ensuring compliance with federal maritime law, protecting the integrity of our Nation’s Maritime Transportation System, and safeguarding the vital flow of commerce throughout the inland river system.

By maintaining a visible and proactive presence on the waterways, our teams help deter potential threats, strengthen partnerships with industry, and ensure the security of key infrastructure that millions of Americans rely on every day. From locks and dams to fleeting areas and critical supply routes, Sector Ohio Valley remains committed to protecting the backbone of inland commerce while upholding the highest standards of maritime safety and security.

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