Boisa Identified as Victim in Alcatraz Island Capsizing
Clifford Joseph Boisa, 79, of Sutter County, has been identified as the sole fatality in a boat capsizing near Alcatraz Island on Tuesday afternoon, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The incident occurred as the group, mostly family members, participated in a memorial service, officials said. Boisa was pulled from the water by emergency responders but later pronounced dead at Gas House Cove in the Marina District. A dog aboard the vessel also died.
Passengers Held Memorial Service Before Capsizing
San Francisco Fire Department Chief Dean Crispen stated that the passengers were primarily family members attending a memorial service. Ralph Boisa, a relative not aboard the boat, said the group included his extended family, including his adopted daughter’s relatives and Clifford’s daughter’s family. The memorial was for Maria, who lived in San Francisco before her death in 2016. Crispen noted that the boat was hit by a wave or took on water, leading to its capsizing. The *Volare*, based in Stockton, was reported to have launched near the St. Francis Yacht Club, though the club had no immediate information on the incident.
Rescue Efforts Involving Civilians and Agencies
Emergency crews and civilian boaters played a critical role in rescuing 16 survivors. Coast Guard. Anfinson’s crew provided life jackets to passengers, some of whom were in shock and did not initially wear them. A woman in her 40s, bleeding from the head, was rescued from a kiteboard by Anfinson’s crew. Other private boats, a Red and White Fleet ferry, and a halibut fisherman also aided in the effort. San Francisco Fire Department and Coast Guard personnel arrived later, with the latter leading the search for three missing individuals: Clifford Boisa’s wife, his sister Carol (of Sacramento), and another passenger. Three injured survivors were hospitalized but later released. Crispen emphasized that the boat was “mostly submerged” with the motor still running and leaking fuel when first discovered.
Search Challenges in Rough Waters
The U.S. Coast Guard and San Francisco Fire Department continued searching the San Francisco Bay for the missing, using thermal imaging, tide prediction, and sonar technology. The *Volare* sank in a shipping channel 120 feet deep, complicating salvage efforts. The search, initially described as a “rescue mission,” shifted to recovery mode after sunset on Wednesday. San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie urged residents to “keep everybody in our thoughts” during the ongoing operation.
Safety Concerns and Ongoing Investigations
Anfinson criticized the lack of life rafts and life jackets aboard the *Volare*, noting that Coast Guard-certified vessels are required to carry such gear. He estimated that some passengers were “in shock” and reluctant to wear life jackets. The exact cause of the capsizing remains under investigation, with officials citing “rough seas” and conflicting reports from boating experts. San Francisco Fire Chief Crispen confirmed that no fire was on board, despite initial reports of steam. The boat’s operator, based in Stockton, has not been publicly identified. Authorities continue to gather information, with updates expected as the search progresses.
Find more reporting in our News section.
Related reading
