Coast Guard extends wake zone for Riverfest

CINCINNATI - The US Coast Guard is enforcing a new and extended wake zone for boaters attending Riverfest on Sunday.

More than 1,500 boats are expected on the Ohio River this Labor Day weekend.

Last year, the Coast Guard says two people were knocked off a dock in Dayton, Kentucky, due to a wake from a boat.

The 12-mile no wake zone will be from mile 476 at Destiny Yacht Charters to mile 464 at Four Seasons Marina.

It begins at noon on Sunday to 3 a.m. on Monday.

"It's a safety concern for us. We don't want children or someone who can't swim on a dock or something being knocked off and then we have a search and rescue case," said Lt. Rob Reinhart with the US Coast Guard.

The river closure will be between mile 469.2 and 470.5 including the Licking River up to the KY 8 bridge.

The river closure will be enforced from 7 p.m. until the end of the fireworks display.

During the river closure, no vessel traffic including commercial or recreational vessels, personal water crafts, or sailing vessels will be allowed to launch or leave any Kentucky or Ohio harbors or ramps located within the closure zone.