Upcoming Boating Season at Lake Tahoe

Epic Winter means good boating

The Lake Tahoe level has risen over four feet since December 1, 2016. It currently is at an elevation of 6227 feet, just two feet shy of its maximum of 6229. Federal Water Master Chad Blanchard estimates that there are four feet of water in the snow pack of the mountains surrounding Lake Tahoe. This snow will melt into the lake and any excess must be gradually released into the Truckee River. Boat ramps that have either been unusable, or marginal in years past will be readily available to boaters this year.

Image courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey.

This photo shows the Tahoe City Public Utility Boat Launch ramp located next to the Coast Guard Station. This photo was taken in the first week of February. Since then, the lake has risen another two feet. The Coast Guard has been using "shallow water" boats (vessel in foreground) for the last couple of seasons since the lake level was low, but they will resume using their regular 29 foot vessels this year because of the significant water level increase.

Twin Engine Boat Handling

One of the techniques that Commodore Perata discussed at the boat handling class is the technique of maneuvering a boat with twin engines using only the throttles. The Reno Flotilla's boat, The Melroy, has twin outboards. During a maritime observation patrol on Pyramid Lake Auxiliarist Tom Temkin practiced the technique. The main concepts are:

1) Keep the engines amidship.
2) Do not use the wheel to maneuver.
3) Use neutral position frequently.
4) Think of the throttle positions as akin to the handle bars of a bicycle. In the photo above, the port engine is in reverse while the starboard engine is in forward gear. Temkin will steer the boat to port just as the handle bars are depicted. When maneuvering in reverse, stand along side the throttles and look towards the stern. The same handle bar imagery applies here as well.
5) Maneuver slowly!

Winter Dry Suit Swim at Lake Tahoe

Five Sierra Division 11 members conducted their annual dry suit swim at the Coast Guard Station at Lake Tahoe. During the winter months, Auxiliarists who patrol are required to wear the dry suits. These suits are indeed dry in that they keep water away from the user's body. Polypropylene underwear provides further insulation from the cold. On January 16th, the water temperature at Lake Tahoe was a cold 40 degrees. The dry suit swim also serves as a "leak" test. Any suit that leaks needs to be repaired. Anyone who fell into the water without a life jacket or dry suit would likely survive less than 15 minutes.

Sierra Division 11 members gather for the annual dry suit swim. The dry suits are required when water and air temperature are less than 50 degrees.

Tugs and Towed Vessels

Coast Guard Navigational Rules are clear as to lighting and markings that these vessels must display. Click here for a discussion of these rules.

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