Coast Guard investigates vessel fire in Lake Tahoe
Aug 17th, 2016
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — The Coast Guard continues its investigation into a boat fire onboard the Tahoe Queen on Lake Tahoe, Wednesday.
The fire occurred onboard the vessel in Zephyr Cove Tuesday morning.
The vessel has been thoroughly examined by passenger vessel marine inspectors from Coast Guard Sector San Francisco to ensure that it is structurally sound and poses no threat to the public. The Coast Guard will continue to monitor the condition of the vessel throughout the investigation.
The vessel has approximately 800 gallons of diesel fuel and 100 gallons of hydraulic oil onboard, none of which was lost during the blaze.
“Most of the fire damage is limited to the boat’s pilot house and second deck,” said Lt. Jake Aulner, Chief of Sector San Francisco’s domestic vessel inspection branch. “This can be attributed to the tremendous response by Tahoe Douglas Fire Department to quickly extinguish the fire before it spread to the fuel tanks below.”
The Coast Guard’s efforts are to minimize the impact to the marine environment through the cooperation of the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, monitor the vessels structural integrity to ensure it poses no further danger to the public and conduct an investigation into the cause of the fire with the local fire marshals.
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ZEPHYR COVE, Nev. (KOLO) - The Tahoe-Douglas Fire Protection District says two maintenance workers sustained injuries in a fire on the Tahoe Queen paddlewheeler on Lake Tahoe Tuesday morning. One person sustained smoke inhalation; another strained his back. Neither required hospitalization.
Fire Marshal Erik Guevin says the boat, used for tours of the lake, is moored at Zephyr Cove, where fire broke out shortly before 8AM August 16, 2016.
Flames extensively damaged an upper deck. A crew was on board doing renovation work, including welding. It was members of that crew who were hurt.
There is no word yet on the cause. Most likely the welders started the fire. The Coast Guard is conducting the investigation. The boat is reportedly structurally sound, but in no shape to carry passengers until repairs are done. The vessel is also holding water from the firefight and is listing slightly as a result.
No contaminants are believed to have leaked into the lake.
Sister ship the MS Dixie was moored next to the Queen, but was not damaged.
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Tahoe Queen
This elegant South Lake Tahoe icon is currently undergoing major renovations to reflect the allure and luster of the early 1900’s when there was truly no finer way to travel. Coast Guard certified for up to 312 passengers, with a maximum dining capacity of 150. Once she re-enters the water for full service, the Tahoe Queen will be available for daytime cruises, dinner cruises, private deck exclusives, private charters, as well as weddings and receptions (year-round). Tahoe Queen is climate controlled.
The Tahoe Queen is the only authentic paddle wheeler cruising South Lake Tahoe. This historic vessel is 144' long and 33' wide, with three decks.