At the present time there are eight government agencies which share responsibility for law enforcement and emergency response on Lake Tahoe. All have patrol boats and each has a certain jurisdiction for which it is responsible. The Tahoe-Topaz Compact, however, gives all of these agencies the authority to pursue and apprehend lawbreakers anywhere on Lake Tahoe. Boaters are encouraged to print the information on this page and keep it in their vessel. For a printable version click on the format of your choice: (HTML) (PDF).

     Since the waters of Lake Tahoe are owned and controlled by the Federal Government there is a contingent of the U.S. Coast Guard here, located on the north shore at Lake Forest, about one mile east of Tahoe City. The Coast Guard Station provides continuous monitoring of VHF Marine Radio Channel 16 (156.8 MHz) 24 hours a day. Their operational focus is search and rescue, and recreational boating safety. In partnership with the five local counties, their efforts are focused on education about and compliance with boating safety laws.

Reporting an Emergency

     Use of a VHF marine radio is at most times the surest and quickest way of calling for help from a boat on Lake Tahoe. Most of the following agencies monitor VHF Channel 16. Channel 16 is a hailing and distress frequency only, and should not be used for conversation or radio checks. After contacting someone on that channel move non-distress radio traffic immediately to an authorized working frequency, such as Channel 68. In reporting an emergency over VHF Channel 16, you should first contact the appropriate authorities using their VHF radio "handle" and then calmly and clearly state the following information:

• Your name
• What emergency has occurred
• How many people are on board
• Where you are on the lake
• Description of your vessel, including registration number

      Cell phones, although a good item to have with you while boating, should be used to report an emergency only if you don't have a VHF radio or are unable to contact anyone on VHF Channel 16. Dialing 911 from a cell phone in the Tahoe Basin will, in most cases, connect you with an emergency operator somewhere outside the Basin and valuable time may be lost connecting you or relaying your predicament to the local authorities. The U.S. Coast Guard station at Tahoe City does have a land line number, listed below, and will accept collect calls in the event of a marine emergency. Boaters who plan on carrying a cell phone with them should make a list of the emergency dispatch telephone numbers listed below for each agency and keep it on their boat.

     In the event you are onshore, spot a boater in distress out on the lake, and are using a land based phone line to report the emergency, dial 911.

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Medivac Locations

     The following locations have been designated by the Coast Guard as the best sites to bring someone by boat who requires immediate medical attention. Alerting the Coast Guard by VHF radio or cell phone following an onboard medical emergency as to which location you will be proceeding will assure that EMS personnel will meet you there as quickly as possible. Alerting the destination marina of your pending arrival will help assure a convenient docking spot and assistance in tying up.

For a printable map of the above locations, click here. Although the above sites provide the best access to the dock area for EMS personnel, other marinas or boat ramps will do in an emergency situation if you are not certain of your location on the lake.

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Reporting an Accident

     As the operator of a vessel you are required by law to file a written report of an accident with local authorities.

A.  When To Report

• There is damage to the vessel or its equipment in excess of $500
• There is injury or loss of life
• There is the disappearance of any person on board under circumstances indicating death or injury

B.  What To Report

Grounding Capsizing Falls Overboard Collision Sinking Struck by Boat/Prop

Swamping Flooding Fire Explosion Disappearance (Other Than Theft)

C.  Time Limits

• Within 48 hours if there is loss of life, injury requiring medical treatment beyond first aid, or the disappearance of a person from a vessel
• Within 10 days if there is only damage to the vessel and/or property

D.  How To Report

• The Coast Guard Boating Accident Report Form may be used in all cases of accident reporting regardless in which state the report is to be filed. The state form may also be used. A copy of the Boating Accident Report Form, as well as assistance in filling it out, is available from any of the local law enforcement agencies listed below.

E.  Who Must Report

• The Boating Accident Report Form is usually filled out by the operator of the boat unless the operator is physically unable to complete it. In that case, then the owner, if he was not the operator, must submit the form.

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U.S. Coast Guard, Lake Tahoe Station
2500 Lake Forest Rd.
Lake Forest, CA  96145      (530) 583-4433  (collect calls accepted for emergencies)
VHF Radio Channels Monitored:  16, 22   (24 hours a day)
VHF Marine Radio Handle:  Coast Guard Station Tahoe
Jurisdiction:  Entire lake

South Lake Tahoe Police Dept.
Emergency Dispatch:   (530) 542-6110
VHF Radio Channels Monitored:  16, 22   (9 AM - 6 PM, Daily from May 17th through Sept. 21st)
VHF Marine Radio Handle:  Marine 1
Jurisdiction:  South end of lake -Stateline to Emerald Bay

Douglas County Sheriff
Emergency Dispatch:  (775) 782-9911
VHF Radio Channels Monitored:  16, 22  (10 AM - 6 PM, Wednesday through Sunday, Memorial Day to July 31st)
VHF Marine Radio Handle:  Marine 7
Jurisdiction:  Southeast corner of lake, Stateline north to Glenbrook

El Dorado County Sheriff
Emergency Dispatch:  (530) 544-3464
VHF Radio Channels Monitored:  16, 22
VHF Marine Radio Handle:  Marine 3
Jurisdiction:  South end of lake

Placer County Sheriff
Emergency Dispatch:  (530) 583-4244
VHF Radio Channels Monitored:  16
VHF Marine Radio Handle:  Placer Marine 6
Jurisdiction:  Northwest corner of lake, Stateline Point south to Tahoma

Washoe County Sheriff
Emergency Dispatch:  (775) 832-4111
VHF Radio Channels Monitored:  16
VHF Marine Radio Handle:  Marine 9
Jurisdiction:  Northeast corner of lake, Stateline Point south to Glenbrook

California Department of Fish and Game
Information and Dispatch:  (916) 445-0045
To report any poaching or polluting incident:  888-334-2258 (CALTIP)
Fish and Game Warden:  Dave Bezzone  (775) 267-2972
VHF Radio Channels Monitored:  16
VHF Marine Radio Handle:  California Dept. of Fish and Game
Jurisdiction:  California side of lake

Nevada Department of Wildlife
Field Office:  (775) 588-6922
To report any poaching or polluting incident:  800-992-3030  (Operation Game Thief)
VHF Radio Channels Monitored:  21, 22  (Memorial Day through Labor Day)
VHF Marine Radio Handle:  Marine 5
Jurisdiction:  Nevada side of lake

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Boat Towing

     Few law enforcement agencies provide towing of boats disabled due to mechanical problems or running out of fuel. To obtain help for a disabled boat in a situation when neither life nor property is threatened contact one of the facilities listed below.

• South end of lake:
  

  Vessel Assist	VHF Channel 16 or (530) 544-4522
  High Sierra Marine	VHF Channel 16 or (530) 581-2628
  Tahoe Keys Marina	(530) 541-2155

  
  
• North end of lake:
  

  Vessel Assist	VHF Channel 16 or (775) 832-0139
  High Sierra Marine	VHF Channel 16 or (530) 581-2628
  North Tahoe Marina	VHF Channel 16 or (530) 546-8248
  Sierra Boat Company	VHF Channel 16 or (530) 546-2551

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