Fact Check: "Witnesses report eight to ten-foot waves during the capsizing."
What We Know
On June 21, 2023, a tragic incident occurred when a 27-foot Chris-Craft boat capsized on Lake Tahoe, resulting in the deaths of eight people. The U.S. Coast Guard reported that the boat capsized due to "a large swell" amid strong winds, with conditions at the time including winds of 30 knots and swells of 6 to 8 feet (People). However, eyewitness accounts indicated that the waves reached as high as eight to ten feet. Witnesses noted that the wind "suddenly came from the north, creating eight to ten-foot troughs" (People). Boat Captain Joby Cefaludes described the conditions as "worse than 30-foot waves on the sea" (People).
Additionally, reports from various sources confirm that the storm's rapid onset led to dangerous conditions on the lake, with winds reaching up to 45 miles per hour (ABC7). Eyewitnesses, including the Harbormaster of Camp Richardson Resort, corroborated the wave height, stating that the waves increased to 8 to 10 feet in a very short time (ABC7).
Analysis
The claim that witnesses reported waves of eight to ten feet during the capsizing is supported by multiple credible sources. The U.S. Coast Guard's initial assessment indicated that the boat capsized due to a large swell, and eyewitness accounts consistently describe the waves as being in the range of eight to ten feet (People, ABC7). The reliability of these sources is high, as they include official statements from the Coast Guard and firsthand accounts from individuals present during the incident.
The Harbormaster's comments about the unusual wave heights and the rapid change in weather conditions further validate the eyewitness reports. His experience of over 30 years on Lake Tahoe lends additional credibility to his observations (ABC7). Furthermore, the consistency across various news outlets, including CNN and local news reports, reinforces the accuracy of the claims regarding wave heights (CNN, WUNC).
While some reports mention wave heights of 6 to 8 feet, the eyewitness accounts of 8 to 10 feet appear to be more widely reported and accepted, particularly given the dramatic nature of the storm that day (People, ABC7).
Conclusion
The claim that witnesses reported eight to ten-foot waves during the capsizing is True. Multiple credible sources confirm that eyewitnesses observed wave heights in this range, and the conditions leading to the capsizing were characterized by strong winds and rapidly rising swells. The consistency of these accounts across different outlets further supports the validity of the claim.
