Boat sinks near Alcatraz Island, 1 dead, 3 missing

A boat capsized near Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay, resulting in one death and three individuals still unaccounted for. This incident has prompted a significant response from multiple government agencies. A 49-foot cabin cruiser, which was carrying 20 adults for a memorial service, overturned in rough seas. Authorities are currently looking into the cause of the accident as search efforts continue in the cold waters.

On Wednesday evening, the U.S. Coast Guard stopped the search for the three missing people, who were part of a large family on the boat during the memorial event. The vessel sank on Tuesday afternoon, leading to the death of Clifford Joseph Boisa, a 79-year-old man from Sutter County. Sixteen others were rescued, though sadly, a dog onboard did not survive.

The gathering was meant for scattering the ashes of loved ones, as confirmed by officials.

San Francisco Coast Guard Commander Col. Jarrod Toshko described ceasing an active search as one of the hardest decisions he faces. He emphasized the mission is always about reuniting families with their loved ones.

The search covered about 950 square nautical miles and utilized 11 surface vessels and four aircraft. Toshko noted that, after dedicating approximately 23 hours to the search, there was little hope for finding additional survivors. Next of kin were notified before the search was called off.

Authorities stated that the boat was subjected to heavy waves, causing it to tilt and eventually sink. Initial reports of a fire were investigated, but no evidence was found; what was perceived as smoke likely turned out to be steam from the boat.

Survivor interviews revealed that some passengers were on different decks at the time of the capsize. While it’s possible that some missing individuals were trapped inside as the boat sank, investigators have not drawn any conclusions yet.

Three survivors were hospitalized but later released, while others were treated at a reunification center. Fire Chief Dean Crispen confirmed that one person and a dog lost their lives during this event.

Authorities believe the sunken boat rests around 130 feet deep near the site of the capsize. San Francisco police mentioned that locating the vessel is essential before utilizing underwater drones for safe recovery assessment, as divers typically don’t work effectively beyond 120 feet of water.

Toshko acknowledged the assistance of nearby fishermen and other boaters, saying, “Those guys saved my life,” as they helped rescue individuals before emergency personnel could arrive. The recreational boat had departed from the St. Francis Yacht Club and briefly visited Angel Island before the tragic incident occurred. The investigation into the cause of the sinking is ongoing.