The 144'x33' paddlewheeler Tahoe Queen ran aground in the vicinity of Tahoe Keys, Calif., Monday afternoon. Approximately 296 passengers were evacuated by Coast Guard and other response agencies.
At approximately 3:37 p.m., Coast Guard Sector San Francisco watchstanders received a notification from Coast Guard Station Lake Tahoe that the Tahoe Queen had run aground with approximately 296 passengers aboard. Rescue boat crews from Station Lake Tahoe, South Lake Tahoe, Douglas County, El Dorado County and Vessel Assist transferred all passengers and non-essential crew from Tahoe Queen to shore at Ski Run Marina in South Lake Tahoe. No injures were reported.
"Because we frequently work with the local agencies during training drills and search and rescue cases, we were able to effectively collaborate and resolve the situation," said Petty Officer 1st Class Laura Bostwick, a boatswain's mate at Station Lake Tahoe. "Once on scene, everyone worked seamlessly together to safely transfer the passengers ashore."
The cause of the grounding is under investigation and the owners of the Tahoe Queen are developing a salvage plan to move the vessel, according to the Reno-Gazette Herald.
