The Officer In Charge at Coast Guard Station Lake Tahoe in Lake Forrest, Senior Chief Daniel Bennett, reported at the recent Sierra Division Coast Guard Auxiliary Change of Watch Ceremony and Awards Dinner that there were no boating deaths on Lake Tahoe between October 2008 and October 2009.
This is in comparison to the eight boating-related deaths that occurred on Lake Tahoe the first year Bennett arrived to take command of Coast Guard Station Lake Tahoe.
Outgoing Coast Guard Auxiliary Sierra Division Commander Dee Dee Kincade of Incline Village equates the wonderful to the efforts of the various agencies and people who patrol and educate boaters in and around Lake Tahoe. Coast Guard Personnel at Coast Guard Station Lake Tahoe have increased its patrols and boardings in the past year.
The Sierra Division of the Coast Guard Auxiliary (the uniformed and volunteer arm of the Coast Guard on the Lake Tahoe ) spent more than 2,300 hours patrolling Lake Tahoe in 2009. The Auxiliary provided escort to events and regattas on Lake Tahoe, completed 706 free Vessel Safety Checks and educated boaters on various safe boating practices through its Boater Safety classes.
Police and sheriff boat patrols played a large part in eliminating boating-related deaths on Lake Tahoe last year.
Lake Tahoe marine dealers, marina operators and boat rental companies are all helping by educating boaters to “think ahead and be safe when boating on Lake Tahoe.” Ed Lyngar of the Nevada Department of Wildlife has been instrumental at providing boaters with safe boating literature.
For more information or to volunteer in the Auxiliary, call Joe Harris at (650) 279-9159 or www.northtahoecgaux.com.
