Search Suspended for Three Missing After Boat Capsizes
The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended search operations for three people who remained missing after a cabin cruiser capsized in the San Francisco Bay on Tuesday. The incident, which occurred near Alcatraz Island, resulted in one confirmed death and involved a vessel carrying 20 people, all of whom were adults and primarily family members attending a memorial service.
Coast Guard Sector San Francisco Commander Jarod Toczko announced the suspension of the search at sundown on Wednesday, following 54 combined hours of effort by rescue crews. Over the course of the operation, teams surveyed 950 square nautical miles using helicopters, vessels, and divers. Despite the exhaustive search, the vessel—a 50-foot cabin cruiser named the *Volare*—has not been located.
“We have completely saturated the search area,” Toczko said, noting that while the mission was suspended, the Coast Guard “always holds out hope.”
Incident Details and Rescue Efforts
The San Francisco Fire Department received an initial report of a boat fire at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday. However, authorities later determined there was no fire on board. According to San Francisco Fire Chief Dean Crispen, the *Volare*, which was based out of Stockton, California, encountered rough seas near Alcatraz. Witnesses reported that the boat began taking on water, listed heavily to one side, and eventually capsized. Rescuer Justin Marceline, who assisted at the scene, reported seeing passengers “banging on the windows, trying to get out” of the vessel as it sank. Toczko noted that there is a “high possibility” that the three missing individuals may have been trapped inside the vessel. The boat is believed to have sunk in a shipping channel where depths reach approximately 120 feet, complicating potential recovery efforts.
Casualties and Survivors
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner identified the deceased as 79-year-old Clifford Joseph Boisa of Sutter County. He was recovered from the water in severe distress and was pronounced dead after emergency responders administered CPR at Gas House Cove. A dog on board the vessel also died in the incident.
Of the 20 people on board, 16 were rescued from the water. Three of the survivors were transported to a hospital with injuries—mostly impact-related from entering the water—and were released by Wednesday morning. A family reunification center was established at Fort Mason to assist the survivors and their families.
Challenges in Recovery and Investigation
Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the capsizing. While the National Weather Service did not issue a small craft advisory for the area, witnesses and officials described the conditions as having “rough seas” with swells reaching up to 5 feet. The search involved multiple agencies, including the San Francisco Fire Department, the Oakland Police Department’s marine unit, and the U.S. Coast Guard, alongside assistance from private vessels. The Boisa family released a statement on Wednesday, expressing gratitude for the condolences received and requesting privacy as they process the “horrific loss.” Officials have urged anyone seeking information regarding family members who may have been on the vessel to contact 1-800-RED-CROSS.
Summary of Known Information
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | Volare (50-foot cabin cruiser) |
| People on Board | 20 (All adults, family/friends) |
| Confirmed Dead | 1 (Clifford Joseph Boisa, 79) |
| Missing | 3 |
| Rescued | 16 |
| Animal Casualties | 1 dog |
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