SOUTH LAKE TAHOE - The U.S. Coast Guard wants to make a safe harbor at several spots on Lake Tahoe - requesting jurisdiction over seven marinas in the event of a disaster.
The outreach beyond its Tahoe City station involves part of a disaster preparedness plan the Department of Homeland Security has sought from agencies dealing with the possibility of mass-casualty victims since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The action would go into effect immediately.
The marinas include: Camp Richardson, the Hyatt's in Incline Village and Meeks Bay - which have concession operations run by Bob Hassett.
"The more training we have on the lake the better," Hassett said Thursday, agreeing to the jurisdictional plan.
The request was also extended to Zephyr Cove, Tahoe Keys, Sand Harbor and Ski Run.
Ski Run Marina owner Mansoor Alyeshmerni also gave his nod of approval.
Lt. Leanne Bacon said the Coast Guard selected Ski Run Marina in particular for its easy boat, ambulance and helicopter access as well as having Barton Memorial Hospital close by. There's also a fire station.
"If something were to happen on the lake, we would need to know what to do. This would give us a scripted disaster plan," she said.
Bacon admitted expecting a terrorist attack at Lake Tahoe would represent quite a stretch, but the plan aims to tackle other incidents such as major boat fires. One example includes an incident at the magnitude of a multi-agency emergency drill conducted May 2004.
The massive drill was established in response to a boat crash at Cave Rock the August before, which claimed the lives of a Bay area couple.
n Contact reporter Susan Wood at swood@tahoedailytribune.com or (530) 542-8009.
Coast Guard
calls & fatalities
• 2001: 258 - 1
• 2002: 200 - 0
• 2003: 172 - 1
• 2004: 203 - 1
