Boat sinks near Alcatraz, 1 dead, 2 missing

A significant search and rescue effort is currently taking place in the waters of San Francisco Bay near Alcatraz Island. This follows an incident involving a three-story pontoon cruise ship that caught fire and subsequently capsized, resulting in one fatality and two individuals reported missing.

The deceased has been identified as 79-year-old Clifford Joseph Boisa, a former reserve deputy sheriff from Sutter County. He tragically lost his life Tuesday afternoon when the recreational vessel, which was carrying 20 passengers, sank. The Sutter County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Boisa had served as a reserve deputy since 1987.

As of Wednesday, search teams from the U.S. Coast Guard and local agencies are actively searching for three passengers who remain unaccounted for. Meanwhile, 16 people were rescued, with three needing treatment at nearby hospitals.

This outing was part of a family gathering that included a memorial service, during which they intended to scatter the ashes of a loved one in the bay, as reported by The New York Times.

San Francisco Fire Department Chief Dean Crispin reported that emergency crews were alerted around 3:35 p.m. to a fire about 2,000 feet offshore, situated between Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge.

However, upon arrival, responders found that the boat had capsized and was mostly submerged rather than on fire. The marine unit of the San Francisco Police Department located the vessel with only its upper deck visible. Notably, the engine was still operational, apparently leaking fuel into the water.

Some passengers were trapped in the upper compartment but were eventually rescued. The search efforts continued, utilizing various methods including boats, helicopters, and thermal imaging to locate the missing individuals.

Officials have yet to identify the cause of the sinking, although they noted that strong summer winds and rapidly shifting conditions in the bay can create perilous situations for boats. Two local fishermen who assisted in the rescue shared that the scene was chaotic, describing passengers frantically trying to escape as others struggled in the water. They observed that some individuals weren’t wearing life jackets, complicating the rescue efforts.

Authorities have indicated that investigations are ongoing, and further information will be provided when available. The boat had set off from a location near the St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco.