Sept. 17, 2012 — A deputy from the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) rescued two families who found themselves in distress while boating at Eagle Lake, Saturday, Sept. 15

According to a press release from the LCSO, a report was received at approximately 3:20 p.m. regarding several people in distress approximately 3.5 miles north of Pikes Point on Eagle Lake.

A member of the sheriff’s patrol division responded and utilized the LCSO’s enforcement boatstationed at Eagle Lake. At  the time of response, Eagle Lake was experiencing 25 to 30 knots winds and three to four feet swells on the water.

Two families ranging from 5 years old to adults were stranded on the pontoon boat, approximately six miles from Gallatin Marina. The boat had been pushed aground and was being thrashed with high waves.

All eight people were safely loaded into the LCSO enforcement boat and taken to the Gallatin Marina with no injuries.

According to the LCSO, the families, who were from out of the area, had launched their pontoon boat and jet skis just hours prior to their distress call. They planned on staying on the lake for the day when their pontoon boat lost power, subjecting them to  the strong waves and high winds.

Being unfamiliar with the lake’s depth in the area they were at, the operators of the two jet skis ran them into shallow water, sucking up debris making their crafts inoperable.

The LCSO currently operates the boating program under funds received from the Department of Boating and Waterways.