The National Transportation Safety Board has released its preliminary report on last month's Lake Tahoe boat accident that killed eight people. 

The 28-foot-long boat named Over the Moon was carrying 10 people when it overturned near D.L. Bliss State Park on June 21. Two other people survived. 

The NTSB says 'Over the Moon' was launched that morning from a boat ramp in Tahoe City, with four people aboard, two of whom were the boat's registered owners. The six others were later picked up at a second, nearby marina.

By noon, the boat was anchored in Emerald Bay, for about one to 1.5 hours. During this time, the NTSB says the weather was clear with light winds. "The National Weather Service had issued no marine warnings or small craft advisories for the Lake Tahoe area for the day, although the local forecast indicated a slight chance of thunderstorms."

About two hours later, the clouds had increased and the operator (not named in the report) returned to the second marina but while moving the weather got even worse and he decided to return to Emerald Bay.

Within the same hour, blowing rain and snow covered the lake with winds up to 34 knots.

The NTSB says one person put on a lifejacket and then distributed others to everyone else in the boat, but no one "immediately" put them on. Shortly after, the boat rolled and the passengers fell into the water. 

The report says, "no distress calls were from the boat."

The NTSB says, "one of the survivors told investigators that, once the boat was away from Emerald Bay, 2- to 3-foot waves splashed into the boat with the pouring rain, but no water was accumulating on the deck. The winds increased; the survivor reported marble-sized hail collecting in the boat and that the waves increased to 8–10 feet. She recalled that a few of these waves broke over the sides and bow, and about an inch of water accumulated on the boat deck..."

At some point, the Chris-Craft's engine stopped and it ended up sideways, taking on water - and that's when some of the passengers tried to get water out of the boat. A hiker who witnessed the accident called 911 when another wave overtook the boat. 

Around 4 p.m., the snow stopped, and the weather began to clear, with cloudless skies by 5:30 p.m. 

Another hiker and California State Parks lifeguard helped save people from the water. Six of eight people died on scene. One survivor was wearing a life jacket while the second one was found holding onto a Personal Floatation Device. Both survivors were transported to a nearby hospital. 

The next day, the last two bodies were recovered from the water at a depth of just over 300 feet.

Also, on the same day, the Coast Guard declared the accident a major marine casualty with the NTSB being named lead federal agency investigator. 

The NTSB says investigators later found no evidence of a "hull leak, grounding, or contact with an object." It goes on to say, "investigators found one PFD still in its plastic packaging with tags on it, one infant life vest still in its packaging, an unzipped life vest stowage bag, and five inflatable PFDs in stowage compartments."

The boat's electronic systems have been sent to the NTSB laboratory for further analysis while two bilge pumps and engine fuel filter were retained for further examination.

The NTSB says toxicology test results are pending for the deceased victims.

The victims have since been identified as:

  • Paula Bozinovich, 71, of Redwood City, California
  • Terry Pickles, 73, of Redwood City, California
  • Joshua Antony Pickles, 37, of San Francisco
  • Peter Bayes, 72, of Lincoln, California
  • Timothy O’Leary, 71, of Auburn
  • Theresa Giullari, 66, of Honeoye, New York
  • James Guck, 69, of Honeoye, New York
  • Stephen Lindsay, 63, of Springwater, New York

Joshua Pickles was DoorDash’s global head of strategic sourcing and procurement. A family spokesman said the group was celebrating birthday on her son’s boat, which he bought about a year ago.

Classmates of the two survivors have put together a GoFundMe to raise funds for the duo, who are a mother and daughter. If you'd like to donate, you can do so on their GoFundMe page.

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