On Saturday, June 21, a routine afternoon on California’s pristine Lake Tahoe turned into a tragedy when a 27-foot Chris-Craft powerboat capsized in a sudden storm swell, leaving six people dead and two others unaccounted for, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. The incident occurred near D.L. Bliss State Park around 3:00 p.m. local time, when 30-knot winds and eight-foot swells battered the vessel.
@USCGNorCal “#LakeTahoe response crews rescued two survivors, recovered six bodies, and continue searching for two missing individuals near D.L. Bliss State Park.” via X
The Coast Guard’s Lake Tahoe station, California State Parks rangers, and the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office (EDSO) launched a massive search-and-rescue operation as soon as distress calls came in from witnesses on nearby boats and shorelines. Two survivors were treated for hypothermia and minor injuries at Barton Memorial Hospital, while divers and a sheriff’s helicopter combed the choppy waters into Sunday morning.
@ElDoradoSheriff “Our dive teams will resume searching at first light. We mourn those lost and pray for the safe return of the missing.” via X
Eyewitness video shared with CBS Sacramento shows other boats struggling to maintain control as the storm cell swept across the lake, drenching visitors in rain and hail before blue skies returned about an hour later. Boat captain Joby Cefaludes described the sudden squall as “worse than 30-foot waves on the open sea,” telling People magazine that he “felt the vessel lift, then flip almost vertically.”
Weather data from the National Weather Service recorded gusts up to 45 mph at nearby Tahoe City, and radar imagery indicated a fast-moving patch of moisture that caught boaters off guard. Meteorologist Ophelia Young posted on @NWSBayArea:
@NWSBayArea “Sudden northerly gusts and a steep swell combined to create dangerous conditions on Lake Tahoe—recreational boaters should monitor forecasts closely.” via X
The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the identities of the deceased—four men and two women, all adults—will be released after next-of-kin notifications. The two missing persons remain unnamed pending family notification and ongoing searches by sheriff’s dive teams and Coast Guard cutters.
In the hours following the capsize, D.L. Bliss State Park authorities closed boat ramps and posted safety advisories on the California State Parks website, urging visitors to avoid the water until conditions stabilize. South Lake Tahoe Police Department backed the closure with patrols on the shoreline to prevent further incidents.
@CAStateParks “Out of respect for families and safety concerns, all Lake Tahoe boat ramps at D.L. Bliss are closed until further notice.” via X
Lake Tahoe tourism operators are now grappling with the fallout. Tahoe Keys Marina, which hosted several charter and private boats that day, issued a statement on their South Tahoe Now portal explaining that “the sudden weather shift was unforeseeable despite standard safety checks”—a claim echoed by other outfitters who track official wind and swell advisories.
Legal experts warn that the accident could spur stricter boating regulations. Maritime attorney Keller Davis, writing for the Maritime Law Journal, argues that “this tragic event highlights the need for mandatory lifejacket laws and real-time weather reporting requirements for recreational vessels.” Discussions are already underway in the California legislature to consider updated safety mandates.
@MaritimeLawJrnl “Lake Tahoe capsizing could be a watershed moment for recreational boating safety reform.” via X
Family members of victims have begun gathering at a makeshift memorial at Sunnyside Beach, laying flowers and candles near the water’s edge. Attendees shared memories of loved ones, while counselors from the American Red Cross provided emotional support. One mourner described the site as “hallowed ground where we pray for closure and for those still missing.”
National reaction has been swift. President Joe Biden offered condolences in a White House statement, urging boaters nationwide to “heed safety warnings and respect the forces of nature.” The official release also pledged federal assistance to local agencies.
@WhiteHouse “Our hearts go out to the families affected by the Lake Tahoe tragedy. The federal government stands ready to support search, rescue, and recovery.” via X
In Sacramento, Governor Gavin Newsom directed the California Office of Emergency Services to coordinate resources, including specialized dive teams from the Coast Guard’s Northern California division and air support from the California Highway Patrol’s helicopter units state press release. Newsom emphasized “the need for rapid, coordinated action to bring answers to grieving families.”
Meanwhile, engineers from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are set to inspect the sunken boat once recovered. An NTSB spokesperson told their bulletin that investigators will assess the vessel’s maintenance records, lifejacket availability, and passenger briefing logs to determine liability and safety failures.
@NTSB “Our team will examine the capsized vessel and weather data to identify causal factors in this tragic accident.” via X
As the search continues for the two missing individuals, Lake Tahoe’s boating community is left reeling. Memorial services are planned for the coming week at local churches and community centers, including the South Tahoe United Methodist Church, where members will host a vigil and donate proceeds to search-and-rescue teams.
In the meantime, officials urge boaters to download the Coast Guard’s free SafeTrx app—which tracks vessel locations in real time—and to carry personal locator beacons. With summer tourism at its peak, authorities warn that respect for weather advisories and proper safety gear can mean the difference between life and death on Tahoe’s deceptively serene waters.
