SAN FRANCISCO — At least one person was killed after a recreational boat capsized near Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay, prompting a large-scale search-and-rescue operation that continued into Wednesday as authorities searched for three people still missing.
The U.S. Coast Guard and local emergency agencies responded shortly after 3:30 p.m. Tuesday to reports of what was initially believed to be a boat fire between Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge. When rescue crews arrived, they found the vessel had capsized and was partially submerged instead, according to San Francisco Fire Chief Dean Crispen.
Authorities said about 20 people were believed to have been aboard the privately owned 49-foot cabin cruiser, identified as the Volare, which was based in Stockton, California. Sixteen people were rescued from the water, while three survivors were taken to hospital with injuries that officials described as non-life-threatening. One man was pulled from the water in critical condition, but was pronounced dead after rescuers attempted life-saving measures.
The San Francisco medical examiner identified the victim as Clifford Boisa, 79, of Sutter County. Authorities said he was the brother of the boat's owner and captain, John Boisa.
Emergency officials said the passengers were largely relatives and friends who had gathered for a memorial service. Fire Chief Crispen said the group knew one another, though officials did not immediately release additional details about the event.
The vessel overturned in a shipping channel roughly 600 yards from Alcatraz Island, where the water is about 120 feet (37 metres) deep. Officials said the depth prevented city fire department divers from safely reaching the wreck. Search crews planned to use sonar equipment to locate the sunken vessel and determine whether the missing passengers remained inside or had been carried away by currents.
The Coast Guard, San Francisco Fire Department, San Francisco Police Department and other agencies deployed helicopters, rescue boats and aircraft throughout the operation. Officials said search teams were using tide modelling and thermal imaging to help guide the effort.
Authorities have not determined what caused the boat to capsize. Witnesses reported rough water conditions, and investigators said weather and waves could have been contributing factors, but stressed that the cause remained under investigation. Initial reports of a fire were later determined to be unfounded.
As of Wednesday, officials said the search for the three missing passengers remained ongoing while investigators continued examining the circumstances surrounding the accident.
