One dead, three missing after boat sinks near Alcatraz
In the misty waters near San Francisco’s Alcatraz Island, a tragic boating accident has sent the local community into mourning. The accident involved a 49-foot cabin cruiser carrying a group of 20 adults gathered for a maritime memorial service. Caught off guard by turbulent seas, the boat capsized, leading to the unfortunate demise of one individual, while three others remain unaccounted for. The incident has sparked an intensive search operation involving multiple agencies, all working tirelessly in the cold waters to trace those still missing. Our senior correspondent Claudia Cowan provides live updates as authorities probe into the conditions that led to this maritime mishap.
A difficult decision was made Wednesday evening by the U.S. Coast Guard to pause the search for the missing trio. These individuals, along with their family, were part of a memorial outing near the iconic island when calamity struck, toppling the vessel and leaving loved ones anxiously waiting for news.
On that ill-fated Tuesday afternoon, the cabin cruiser found itself submerged with its 20 passengers. Tragically, Clifford Joseph Boisa, aged 79 and from Sutter County, was among those pulled from the waters and later pronounced dead. Sixteen others were successfully rescued, but the accident also claimed the life of a canine companion aboard the ship.
The gathering was a heartfelt one, meant to honor the memory of a departed family member by scattering their ashes in the beloved waters of San Francisco Bay—a poignant tradition marred by unforeseen tragedy.
Search operations persist as San Francisco Fire Department and U.S. Coast Guard teams tirelessly comb through San Francisco Bay’s vast expanse. Since the alarming event on July 15, 2026, when a recreational boat met its end near Alcatraz Island, hope endures as the community awaits any sign of the missing three. This incident has cast a somber shadow over the region, underscoring the unpredictable dangers lurking in the sea’s embrace. (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“Suspending an active search is one of the most difficult things we do as Coast Guard commanders,” Coast Guard Sector San Francisco Commander Capt. Jarod Toczko said during a Wednesday news conference. “Our goal is always to bring home families’ loved ones.”
Toczko said crews searched for about 23 hours using 11 surface vessels and four aircraft, covering roughly 950 square nautical miles and more than 1,700 miles of search track before determining there was little likelihood of finding additional survivors. Families of the missing were notified before the search was suspended.
Officials said the boat was struck by a wave, listed heavily, lost stability and rolled over before sinking. Toczko said investigators found no evidence of the fire initially reported by callers, concluding that what was thought to be smoke was likely steam from the sinking vessel.
Authorities said the vessel had three enclosed levels, and survivor interviews indicated some passengers had been inside the main and lower decks when the boat capsized. Toczko said it remains possible some of the missing passengers became trapped inside as the vessel sank, though he stressed investigators have not reached any conclusions.
First responders stand near a body after a boat accident near Alcatraz Island off San Francisco, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
The San Francisco Fire Department said three survivors were transported to local hospitals and later released, while 13 others were treated at a reunification center after being rescued. Fire Chief Dean Crispen confirmed that one person and one canine died in the incident.
A general view of Alcatraz Island near San Francisco, California, on Aug. 16, 2024. (Loren Elliott/Getty Images)
Officials believe the boat rests in waters roughly 130 feet deep near where it went down. San Francisco police said crews first must locate the vessel before using an underwater drone to assess whether it can safely be recovered. Divers generally cannot operate safely at depths beyond 120 feet, officials said.
Toczko credited Good Samaritans, including nearby fishermen and other boaters, with helping save lives before emergency crews arrived.
“Those folks saved lives,” he said.
Officials said the recreational vessel departed from the area near San Francisco’s St. Francis Yacht Club and had visited Angel Island before the emergency occurred while returning across the bay. The cause of the sinking remains under investigation.