Boating safety plays a huge role for every craft on the water, no matter how large or small. We must always bear that in mind, even when we board a historic paddleboat for a scenic tour. Things can go wrong, and we need to be prepared for every eventuality.

Recently, almost 300 people were stranded aboard The Tahoe Queen, a pleasure ferry that struck a sandbar in Lake Tahoe, California. Numerous emergency teams joined the Coast Guard to rescue the passengers and crew, and luckily, no one was injured.

The 312-passenger Tahoe Queen is an authentic, reconditioned paddleboat ported to northern California from the Mississippi River. The ship maintains the same feel as it has had since its 1890s heyday.

California is experiencing a massive drought this year, which may have lowered the water level and exposed the previously submerged sandbar. Several crewmembers stayed onboard the stranded vessel overnight to monitor the situation, and inspectors will attempt to determine the exact cause of the incident. They will also inspect the ship’s structural integrity, and oversee salvage efforts.

Rescue crews transferred all passengers from the Tahoe Queen to the boat’s home port of Ski Run Marina in South Lake Tahoe. Luckily, there were no chemical spills or ecological damage reported. The company that owns the Tahoe Queen will be held responsible for all salvage costs.

Maritime Attorneys That Handle Ferry Accidents

Latti & Anderson LLP is a family business. The firm, founded in 1960 by Michael Latti, is now run by his daughter, Carolyn Latti, and her brother-in-law, David Anderson. We work hard to retrieve favorable settlements for our clients and their families, no matter whether we are up against a massive corporation or a recreational boater who drank too much before getting out on the water.

For more information about ferry accidents or to discuss your situation with a qualified attorney, call our office today to schedule a free consultation.

Latti’s Little Extra: In 2008, a survey team discovered an 1890s paddleboat, which sunk in 1901, in 40 feet of water on Lake Laberge in Alaska.

Latti & Anderson LLP – Nationwide Maritime Attorneys

Source: http://www.maritime-executive.com/article/296-Passengers-Aboard-Stranded-Paddlewheeler-2014-08-05