The Coast Guard has issued a statement advising safety for recreational boaters along the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers, near Point State Park, due to congestion in the waterway.
“To help ensure safety and facilitate commerce on our three rivers, we would ask all recreational boaters to remain outside the navigable channel unless transiting through the area,” said Lt. Eric Jesionowski, chief of prevention, Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh. “Please stay clear of commercial vessels. Mooring in the navigable channel is prohibited and puts your life at risk.”
Commercial vessels, such as towing and large passenger vessels, have limited maneuverability and visibility, especially during transit under bridges or in congested navigation areas. Their ability to stop takes time and it may take several hundreds of feet to stop the forward momentum.
To ensure boaters remain outside the navigable channel, the Coast Guard is asking them to use the bridge pilings to gauge whether they are inside the navigable channel. The Coast Guard requests that boaters please remain shore-side of the central two bridge pilings, ensuring the safety of mariners, other recreational boaters, and themselves on the three rivers.
Questions regarding safely navigating around the bridges of the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio Rivers can be directed to Lt. Ariana Mohnke at 712-644-5808 ext. 2121 or ariana.l.mohnke@uscg.mil.
