Authorities in San Francisco are looking into a tragic boating accident near Alcatraz Island where a cabin cruiser, carrying 20 people, sank amidst rough waters earlier this week.
According to the San Francisco police, officers from the Marine Division retrieved a body from the water around 1:02 p.m. on Thursday after a report indicated someone was floating west of Treasure Island.
While searching for the wreck, which went down about 600 yards from Alcatraz, the Marine unit was conducting sonar scans at the time.
The deceased was pronounced dead at the scene. The San Francisco Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is tasked with identifying the body and informing the next of kin before any names are released.
There has yet to be confirmation on whether this body belonged to one of the passengers aboard the Volare, the 49-foot cabin cruiser that sank on Tuesday afternoon.
The boat was carrying family and friends when it went down, resulting in one confirmed death, 16 people rescued, and three others still missing. The initial victim has been identified as 79-year-old Clifford Joseph Boisa from Sutter County, a former reserve deputy sheriff.
This incident occurred between Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge, and reports indicate the boat sank rapidly after taking on water. Although initial emergency calls suggested a fire onboard, the San Francisco Fire Department later stated no fire evidence was found.
When rescuers arrived, they encountered most of the vessel submerged, with just a portion of the deck visible above water.
As of Thursday morning, the bodies of the three missing individuals had not yet been located. Many people onboard were extended family members who had come together for memorial services, including the scattering of loved ones’ ashes in the bay.
Officials reported that none of the rescued passengers were wearing life jackets, and injuries mostly stemmed from the sudden plunge into the cold water. Tragically, a dog also lost its life in the accident.
On Wednesday evening, the U.S. Coast Guard suspended its active search after approximately 24 hours of searching 950 square nautical miles using various resources, including boats and aircraft.
Authorities acknowledged a strong likelihood that some passengers might still be trapped within the sunken vessel. Investigations are ongoing to determine what led to the sinking of the Volare, as the Marine Division continues its search in light of this severe boating accident.
