2009 Safe Boating Year

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.

Maritime Museum open select days

The Tahoe Maritime Museum, featuring guided tours, exhibits and hands-on activities for kids, is open select days through Feb. The Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 8 to 10, Jan. 15 to 17, Feb. 12 to 14 and Feb. 20 to 22.

Admission is $5, and free for members and children 11 and under. (530) 525-9253.

Maritime Annex Open House

Tahoe Maritime Museum hosts an Open House at the Truckee Annex from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 5, weather permitting. See vessels and artifications not on display at the Homewood museum.

Located at 10434 River Park Place. Free admission with Toys for Tots donation. $5 adults, free children 12 and under and members. (530) 525-9253.

Emerald Bay Trip

Truckee-Donner Parks and Rec. is offering a trip to Emerald Bay on Oct. 2 to visit one of the sites where the Tahoe Diver’s Conservancy is working to eradicate invasive species in Lake Tahoe.

Learn about zebra and quagga mussels, New Zealand clams, curly leaf pondweed, millefoil and other species that are threatening the Lake.

The trip is from 9 a.m. to noon and is limited to 14 people. The cost is $52 per person. To register, call (530) 582-7720.

Lodge to Lodge Kayak Tour

Tahoe Adventure Company offers a multi-day kayak adventure includes guided paddles, spotting local wildlife and learning about natural and human history on Sept. 24 to 27 and Oct. 1 to 4.

Arrive at your lakefront hotel for a hot shower, warm meal by afternoon. Relax, socialize or get a massage.

$990 per person for groups of five to eight, $1,190 pp for groups of three to four, $1,390 per person for two. Includes kayak, gear, professional guide, meals, lakefront lodging, snacks and refreshments. Reservations (530) 913-9212.