SF Bay boat tragedy: What to know as 2 from Northern California die, 2 remain missing
What began as a family outing on San Francisco Bay has become a tragedy that has stretched across the Sacramento region.
A Stockton-registered pleasure boat carrying 20 close family members and friends from the Sacramento and Stockton areas capsized near Alcatraz Island on Tuesday, killing a retired Sutter County reserve deputy and a Folsom woman while leaving two others missing as of Thursday evening.
Authorities said 16 people were rescued from the frigid bay by first responders and nearby civilian boaters after the 49-foot Volare rolled over when it “took a wave.” The family had gathered for a day on the water that included spreading the ashes of a relative, according to the boat’s owner and operator, John Boisa. Search-and-recovery efforts continued Thursday after the U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search for survivors Wednesday evening.
Here's what to know as of Friday:
• The Volare, a pleasure craft registered out of Stockton, rolled over after “taking a wave” around 3:37 p.m. Tuesday, sending all 20 occupants into the water; two fishermen and a kite boarder near the scene helped pull victims from the bay.
• According to the Bay Area News Group, the passengers were close family members and friends gathered for a day on the water that included spreading the ashes of a relative.
• Retired Sutter County reserve deputy Clifford Boisa, 79, was identified as the first person killed in the sinking; he had served the sheriff’s office from 1987 to 2001.
• The San Francisco medical examiner identified Tondra Lynn Madruga, 58, a Folsom resident, as the second victim after marine officers located her body via sonar west of Treasure Island around 1 p.m. Thursday.
• Two people — Carol Boisa and Jackie Boisa — remained missing, according to authorities. Bay Area News Group reported that John Boisa identified the two women as his sister and sister-in-law.
• The U.S. Coast Guard suspended search and rescue operations by sunset Wednesday after scouring 950 square nautical miles for 23 hours straight, Commander Jarod Toczko said.
• The San Francisco Police Department resumed search-and-recovery efforts Thursday, and the Madruga family thanked first responders and civilian boaters who assisted in the search.
• The three-level vessel sank approximately 130 feet deep, making it “extremely difficult” for divers to reach and likely requiring an underwater drone to assess whether recovery is feasible.
• Bay Area News Group reported maritime experts described a capsize involving this type of vessel in normal summer conditions on San Francisco Bay as exceptionally rare. Investigators are expected to examine the boat’s condition, passenger load, weather and water conditions, and how it was being operated.