SOUTH LAKE TAHOE. (AP) — Authorities say about 300 people out for a cruise on Lake Tahoe had to be rescued after their boat hit a sand bar and stranded them offshore.

The Lake Tahoe News says the paddle-wheeler Tahoe Queen was about 30 minutes into a 90-minute voyage on Monday when it hit the sandbar in South Lake Tahoe.

Fire officials says it got stuck about 600 yards off of Regan Beach.

There were 257 passengers on board besides the crew.

Another boat was able to take about 70 people to shore and the rest were ferried back by smaller police, fire and Coast Guard vessels.

However, some passengers say they had to wait 3 ½ hours to be rescued.

Lake Tahoe’s water level has been dropping as California struggles with drought.