The San Francisco Police Department’s marine unit has located the submerged wreckage of the 49-foot cabin cruiser *Volare*, which capsized in the San Francisco Bay earlier this week. The vessel was discovered in the vicinity of where it sank, resting on the rocky seabed at a depth of approximately 120 feet. Police have been utilizing boat-mounted sonar equipment to track the vessel since it went down on Tuesday afternoon. Following the discovery, officials reported that a remotely operated vehicle is being used to assess the condition of the wreckage to determine if it can be recovered safely.
A Memorial Service Ends in Tragedy
The *Volare*, a private cabin cruiser registered out of Stockton, was carrying 20 people and a dog when the incident occurred. The group had gathered for a memorial service to scatter the ashes of Maria Vi Boisa, who died in 2015. According to reports, the boat capsized without warning near Alcatraz Island. While the U.S. Coast Guard initially investigated early reports of a fire, they later confirmed there was no evidence of a blaze. Instead, officials stated the vessel took a wave, began listing heavily, lost stability, and quickly rolled over. Sixteen people were rescued by good Samaritans and first responders. In addition to the human lives lost, the dog on board also perished.
Casualties and Ongoing Search
As of Friday, two people have been confirmed dead, and two others remain missing. Clifford Joseph Boisa, 79, of Sutter County, was the first victim identified. A retired reserve deputy who served from 1987 to 2001, he died after being pulled from the water on Tuesday. The second confirmed death is Tondra Madruga, 58, of Sacramento County—also known as Tondra Miller—whose body was recovered by the marine unit on Thursday near Treasure Island. The two individuals still missing have been identified by family members as Jackie Boisa, the wife of Clifford Boisa, and Carol Boisa, the sister of Clifford Boisa. The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search efforts on Wednesday evening after searching more than 800 square miles, an area roughly half the size of Rhode Island. Despite the suspension of the broader Coast Guard search, local police continue their efforts to locate the missing passengers.
For more on this story, see Alcatraz Boat Disaster: One Dead, Two Missing in San Francisco Bay.
Timeline of the Vessel’s Journey
Records and boat trackers show the *Volare* departed from West Harbor around 10 a.m. on Tuesday. The vessel passed beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, circled into the ocean, and eventually docked at Angel Island’s Ayala Cove around noon. After remaining at the cove for three hours, the boat headed back toward the docks. The vessel capsized approximately one-fourth of a mile west of Alcatraz Island shortly thereafter.
Summary of Known Status
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Vessel Type | 49ft Cabin Cruiser (*Volare*) |
| Passengers | 20 people and one dog |
| Confirmed Deaths | 2 (Clifford Boisa, Tondra Madruga) |
| Missing Persons | 2 (Jackie Boisa, Carol Boisa) |
| Wreckage Status | Located; 120ft depth; assessment for recovery in progress |
Family members have expressed profound grief following the disaster. Our family is heartbroken by the loss of our beloved mother, daughter, sister, and aunt, Tondra Madruga,
family member Quin Madruga stated. Our hearts remain with every family impacted.
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