SAN FRANCISCO — Search and rescue teams continued operations into Wednesday after a recreational boat carrying 19 people capsized and sank near Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay, leaving one person dead and two others missing, according to local authorities and the U.S. Coast Guard.
The vessel went down Tuesday afternoon about 600 yards (550 meters) from Alcatraz Island after emergency dispatchers initially received reports of a possible fire aboard the boat. Responding crews later said they found no evidence of a fire, instead discovering the three-deck recreational vessel almost completely submerged with its engine still running and fuel leaking into the bay.
San Francisco Fire Chief Dean Crispen said one passenger was pulled alive from the cold water but later died despite lifesaving efforts. Authorities said two other passengers remained unaccounted for as rescue crews searched the area using multiple boats, helicopters, rescue swimmers and divers. Three survivors were taken to hospital with injuries that officials said were not believed to be life-threatening. Sixteen other people were rescued.
The boat was carrying mostly family members who had gathered for a memorial service, authorities said. A dog that was aboard the vessel also died in the incident.
The U.S. Coast Guard joined the San Francisco Fire Department, Oakland police marine units and other local agencies in the search. Nearby private vessels also assisted in rescuing people from the water before emergency crews arrived.
Officials said weather and water conditions in the bay complicated rescue efforts. The cause of the sinking has not been determined, and investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the incident. Authorities have not identified the deceased or the missing pending family notification.
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie described the response as an "all-hands-on-deck" effort and expressed condolences to the victim's family while thanking first responders and assisting agencies for their work.
As of Wednesday, authorities said the search remained active, with crews continuing to scan the waters around Alcatraz Island while the investigation into the vessel's sinking proceeded.
