Boat sinks on Whitefish Lake; no injuries reported
Whitefish Lake at a "full pool" water level on June 21, 2022. Only a sliver of Whitefish City Beach remains accessible. (Whitney England/Whitefish Pilot)
The Whitefish Police Department and Fire Department responded to a report of a capsized boat on Whitefish Lake Monday evening around 7:30 p.m.
A release from Whitefish Police states five people that occupied the boat were rescued by another boat on the lake and reported no injuries. The rescued boaters reported that the boat had lost power with the “bladder tanks” full of water. The boat then nosed forward causing the bow to fill with water and slowly sink.
Flathead County Office of Emergency Management, Department of Environmental Quality, and Fish Wildlife and Parks were immediately notified of the incident, according to the release.
On Tuesday, Whitefish Police Department, Flathead County Sheriff's Office, Flathead County Search and Rescue and Flathead County Dive Team were able to locate and remove the boat from the lake.
The City of Whitefish reminds boaters to boat responsibly and follow all Montana Boating Laws. All boats must have properly sized U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets or personal floatation devices for each person on board that are readily accessible.
A “no wake” speed must be maintained when within 200 feet of the shoreline, a dock, swimmer, swimming raft, non-motorized boat or anchored vessel. With Whitefish Lake at record high water levels, boaters are asked to help reduce erosion and impacts on the shoreline by staying farther from the shore when possible.
A complete list of Montana Boating Laws can be found online at https://fwp.mt.gov/activities/boating/rules-regulations.