The recent tragedy at Pyramid Lake that took the lives of two boaters give us an opportunity to reflect if it could’ve been prevented if proper safety precautions were in place. Two men, who were described by family members as experienced boaters and strong swimmers died after their boat sank for an unknown reason. The exact cause of the incident remains unknown at this time and is under investigation.
On Saturday, June 28th, 2014, personnel from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Parks Bureau participated in “Operation Dry Water” at Pyramid Lake. Drivers of fourteen boats were contacted and checked for Boating under the Influence (BUI) violations and all passed without incident. When asked, the boaters said that they saw the signs that were posted announcing the Operation. Because of this, boaters said they made sure their boats were properly equipped and due to the extra deputy presence on the lake they followed the rules of the lake, and choosing not going to drink alcohol. Sergeant Roger Wallace said the day seemed like a very quiet family oriented day on the lake when suddenly, the BUI Operation was cut short due to a capsized boat in the water. Deputies quickly responded to the scene and found that all of the passengers, three adults and two children - ages three and five, were shaken up but okay. They were safely secured in boats with people who witnessed the boat flip over and stopped to help.
The boats in both incidents/accidents were nearly identical, but the one glaring difference was the five people who survived on Saturday were wearing Personal Floatation Devices (PFD’s).
The Parks Bureau Marine Patrol Unit would like to urge all boaters this holiday weekend, and anytime they are boating, to follow all rules of the lake and to wear their PFD’s at all times. You never know when an accident is going to occur and wearing a PFD could “Save your life.”
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Parks Bureau is dedicated to providing a safe and drug free environment at all Los Angeles County Parks.
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John L. Scott, Sheriff
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