On June 27, 2022, at approximately 7:30 P.M. the Whitefish Police Department and the Whitefish Fire Departmentresponded to Whitefish Lake for a report of a capsized boat.Once on scene first responders learned that 5 occupants of the boat had been rescued from the water by another boat with no injuries. Occupants of the boat reported that the boat lost power with the “bladder tanks” full of water. The boat nosed forward and down causing the bow of the boat to fill with water and slowly sink.
Flathead County Office of Emergency Management, Department of Environmental Quality, and Fish Wildlife and Parks where immediately notified of the incident.
On June 28, 2022, 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 would like to remined boaters to boatresponsibly 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 on online at https://fwp.mt.gov/activities/boating/rules-regulations.