Video shows large boat on American River sinking as Sacramento crews start removal
Sacramento Fire Department crews responded Wednesday morning to a large boat sinking in the American River at Tiscornia Beach.
Rescue boats and swimmers checked out the vessel to see if it was occupied, but nobody was found inside, the fire department reported.
The Coast Guard was notified for removal.
Reports of sunken boats typically require several steps, from assessment of the vessel’s condition and potential hazards to notification of the owner, although immediate removal doesn’t not require notifying the owner.
Pulling smaller boats out of the water can be done by local auto wrecking companies. Larger vessels may require specialized equipment.
If it’s a large boat, removal can take a lot of rigging, according to a previous Sacramento Bee report. If there’s mud on board, it has to be pumped out. Divers may have to become involved with the removal. The entire process can take up to a year.
Sunken boats is a growing problem, according to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Marine Unit. The agency estimates there are more than 100 sunken cars and boats on the bottom of the river.
A 2017 Sacramento Bee report estimated that about 200 boats have been ditched in the water throughout the Delta region and Stockton.
Tiscornia Beach is situated at the confluence of the Sacramento and American rivers within Tiscornia Park on Jibboom Street.
This story was originally published December 18, 2024 at 12:36 PM.
