Sunken sailboat to be removed from Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - If you've been near the shore of South Lake Tahoe at Regan Beach at any time since fall you've most likely seen a partially sunken sailboat sitting just offshore. The boat's mast and wet sails have been sticking up through the water, an eyesore to many trying to take photos of the scenic view, a topic of conversation to others trying to figure out what happened.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) said they have contacted the owner of the boat and it will be removed soon. The unidentified owner and their insurance company have contracted with a towboat company who will raise the boat.

The operations were to take place last week but winds on the lake were too high and they will attempt again this week, weather permitting. The owner will then remove the boat completely from the lake in the next couple of weeks.

Steve Sweet, TRPA code compliance manager, has been in touch with the owner and said there is no motor onboard the sailboat, thus no environmental concerns.

When South Tahoe Now contacted TRPA, the Coast Guard and South Lake Tahoe Police several weeks ago about the sunken boat to find out whose jurisdiction the problem boat fell into. The Coast Guard deals with safety on the water, and if the boat did not pose a safety issue they wouldn't respond. Both SLTPD and TRPA did not have their boats in the water yet, so once they were the owner was identified by TRPA and owner contacted and a plan developed for removal.

TRPA PIO Chris Larson said the owner has been cooperative. He also said there have been no hefty daily fines involved as some speculated on social media.