| « A busy winter day on Lake Tahoe |
"It's just like training!"
Author: Jack Leth Sierra Division Staff Officer- Operations
During February Crosby’s Lodge in Sutcliffe, NV puts on a two weekend long fishing derby on Pyramid Lake. Pyramid Lake is on the Paiute Tribe’s reservation and is about 35 miles northeast of Reno, NV
Since Pyramid Lake is home of the World Record Lahontan Cutthroat Trout (41 pounds) the event usually draws a significant number of fishermen from Nevada and California.
Since physically it is about the same size as Lake Tahoe the fishing derby is patrolled by the CG, the CG Auxiliary, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office SAR and the Paiute SAR boat.
Paiute Tribe SAR boat and CG AUX vessel Following Sea ready to begin patrol
Paiute Tribe SAR boat and CG vessel 25579 ready to begin patrol
Last Sunday as the day was winding down the CG Auxiliary’s Communication Unit on Spider Point (manned by John Boyne from Reno Flotilla 11-03) spotted a fishing boat DIW (dead in the water) some distance from the ramp.
John Boyne with Reno Mobile 20
Since it was near the end of the day he dispatched the Camie Marie (Bill Stolz- Coxswain and owner) from Flotilla 11-01 (North Lake Tahoe) to investigate.
When they arrived on scene they had everyone put on life jackets.
With that done they begin assessing the situation.
Please note all the Auxiliarists are wearing exposure suits (and life jackets) since the water temperatures are in the 40s.
After determining there were no medical emergencies and that the vessel was disabled they began hooking up a long tow line to tow the boat back to the launch ramp at Pelican Bay.
Once the tow begins the occupants are asked to move to the back of the boat to be out of the way of the tow line (which will be under some tension).
With the occupants safely back in the cockpit of their boat the stern tow begins.
With the tow safely underway a tow watch is set and the helmsman reports to Mobile 20 they are enroute back to the launch ramp at Pelican Bay.
Here’s the two of them approaching the launch ramp as the sun sets:
When I asked one of the crew members on the Camie Marie how it went I was told “Just like we do it in training!”. The sense I got from the response was a little amazement at how well it went.
That’s why we train…so when we need to do it for real it goes like clockwork (it is a little easier when it's this calm!).
We’re always looking for new members who would enjoy what we do and the fact that we can do it year round. Get in touch with us.
