Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
One person is dead and three others remain missing after a boat capsized and sank Tuesday near Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay, authorities said.
San Francisco Fire Department Chief Dean Crispen told reporters that first responders received a report of a boat fire at about 3:30 p.m., roughly 600 yards off Alcatraz, and launched a full marine response, assisted by the San Francisco Police Department's marine unit.
When crews first saw the vessel, they noticed steam coming from the boat, which was misinterpreted as smoke. Officials later confirmed there was no fire on board.
Once on scene, police found a three-deck pontoon boat named Volare carrying about 20 people, most of them family members, Crispen said. First responders performed CPR on one person with severe injuries. The victim, later identified as 79-year-old Clifford Joseph Boisa, was taken to shore, where he was pronounced dead.
Three people were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, authorities said, and a dog aboard the boat also died.
Crispen said witnesses reported rough seas before the boat began taking on water and capsized.
“Our understanding was there was some kind of memorial service that they were engaging in,” Crispen said during a news conference. “That’s why they were using this particular vessel and again they were hit by a wave or took on water and the boat capsized.”
The U.S. Coast Guard, along with local authorities, continued search and rescue operations overnight for the three people who remained missing. Officials said teams were using thermal imaging, tide prediction and modeling to help direct search efforts.
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KRCR is a Redding-based station and a KCVU/KAEF affiliate owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair Broadcast Group is one of the largest and most diversified broadcasting companies in the country today. Sinclair owns and operates, programs or provides sales services to 163 television stations in 77 markets, after pending transactions. Sinclair’s television group reaches approximately 38.7% of US television households and includes FOX, ABC, MyTV, CW, CBS, NBC, Univision, and Azteca affiliates.
One person is dead and three others remain missing after a boat capsized and sank Tuesday near Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay, authorities said.
San Francisco Fire Department Chief Dean Crispen told reporters that first responders received a report of a boat fire at about 3:30 p.m., roughly 600 yards off Alcatraz, and launched a full marine response, assisted by the San Francisco Police Department's marine unit.
When crews first saw the vessel, they noticed steam coming from the boat, which was misinterpreted as smoke. Officials later confirmed there was no fire on board.
Once on scene, police found a three-deck pontoon boat named Volare carrying about 20 people, most of them family members, Crispen said. First responders performed CPR on one person with severe injuries. The victim, later identified as 79-year-old Clifford Joseph Boisa, was taken to shore, where he was pronounced dead.
Three people were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, authorities said, and a dog aboard the boat also died.
Crispen said witnesses reported rough seas before the boat began taking on water and capsized.
“Our understanding was there was some kind of memorial service that they were engaging in,” Crispen said during a news conference. “That’s why they were using this particular vessel and again they were hit by a wave or took on water and the boat capsized.”
The U.S. Coast Guard, along with local authorities, continued search and rescue operations overnight for the three people who remained missing. Officials said teams were using thermal imaging, tide prediction and modeling to help direct search efforts.
-------------------------------------
Stay up to date with our social media:
Facebook: facebook.com/KRCR7
Twitter: twitter.com/KRCR7
Instagram: instagram.com/krcrnews
Subscribe: youtube.com/@krcrnewschannel7
KRCR is a Redding-based station and a KCVU/KAEF affiliate owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair Broadcast Group is one of the largest and most diversified broadcasting companies in the country today. Sinclair owns and operates, programs or provides sales services to 163 television stations in 77 markets, after pending transactions. Sinclair’s television group reaches approximately 38.7% of US television households and includes FOX, ABC, MyTV, CW, CBS, NBC, Univision, and Azteca affiliates.
