Man Rescued from Boat Fire on Lake Tahoe

The U.S. Coast Guard and a good Samaritan came to the rescue of a 43 year-old-man whose vessel went up in flames on Lake Tahoe, Monday evening.

Coast Guard Sector San Francisco watchstanders received notification from Coast Guard Station Lake Tahoe reporting a 26-foot Cobalt boat on fire near Dollar Point.

Watchstanders dispatched a Station Lake Tahoe 29-foot Response Boat-Small crew to the scene.

When the crew arrived on scene, the man had been retrieved by a good Samaritan and the man was transferred to the RB-S.

“It’s unfortunate the fire escalated so quickly,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class TJ Mines, a boatswain’s mate at Station Lake Tahoe. “We’re just happy we were able to assist the owner with no injuries and that Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection arrived on scene when they did.”

A Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection crew arrived on scene shortly after and extinguished the fire before the vessel sank in 21-feet of water.

Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection crew arrived on scene shortly after and extinguished the fire before the vessel sunk in 21-feet of water. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by TJ Mines)

The man was transferred to local emergency medical services personnel with no reported injuries.

It was reported that there are 40 gallons of fuel aboard and a current urgent marine information broadcast has been sent out to notify mariners of the submerged boat.

Vessel Assist has been contacted to salvage the boat.

(U.S. Coast Guard photo by TJ Mines)