1 Dead, 3 Missing After Boat Carrying 20 People Sinks Near Alcatraz Island

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — One person has died and three others remain missing after a boat carrying 20 people capsized Tuesday afternoon in San Francisco Bay near Alcatraz Island, prompting an extensive overnight search by the U.S. Coast Guard and local emergency responders.

According to officials, the vessel, identified as a 50-foot cabin cruiser pontoon boat named Volare, began taking on water before overturning approximately 600 yards off Alcatraz Island.

Authorities said the San Francisco Fire Department received reports of a vessel in distress around 3:37 p.m. Responding crews found people in the water as the boat was already mostly submerged.

The San Francisco Police Department’s Marine Unit was first to arrive and rescued a man who was found in severe distress. Officers began CPR before transporting him to shore, where he was later pronounced dead.

Three other passengers were hospitalized with injuries and are reported to be in stable condition. Officials also confirmed that one dog died in the incident.

Investigators believe the passengers were primarily family members who were participating in a memorial gathering when rough water caused the vessel to take on water and capsize.

The U.S. Coast Guard is continuing its search for the three missing boaters using both air and water crews, along with search modeling technology to identify likely locations.

The cause of the sinking remains under investigation.