The sunken 49-foot cabin cruiser, the Volare, which disappeared beneath San Francisco Bay on Tuesday while carrying 20 friends and relatives for a memorial service, has been located by the San Francisco Police Department's Marine Unit. The vessel is resting between 120 and 130 feet below the surface, approximately 600 yards west of Alcatraz Island.
Officials are currently using a remotely operated underwater vehicle to inspect the wreckage and are consulting with partner agencies to determine if the boat can be safely raised. The depth and challenging conditions of the shipping channel present significant recovery obstacles, as standard scuba diving is not feasible at that depth due to risks like nitrogen narcosis and lengthy decompression requirements. Specialized salvage divers and equipment, including remotely operated vehicles, are being considered.
The incident occurred around 3:35 p.m. on Tuesday. Investigators believe a massive wave struck the three-deck vessel in the bay's notoriously rough waters, causing it to list sharply, flood, and capsize. Authorities are also examining whether the distribution of passengers across the boat's decks contributed to its instability.
Witnesses reported that some passengers were thrown into the water, while others were trapped inside as the boat sank. Approximately half of those aboard were reportedly wearing life jackets.
Nearby civilian boaters, along with crews from the San Francisco Police Department, San Francisco Fire Department, and the U.S. Coast Guard, rescued 16 people from the water. Boat owner and U.S. Navy veteran John Boisa survived the sinking. His older brother, Clifford Joseph Boisa, 79, was rescued alive but later died from cardiac arrest and exposure. The second confirmed victim, 58-year-old Tondra Miller, also known as Tondra Madruga, was found floating near Treasure Island on Thursday. Two family members, Clifford’s wife Jackie Boisa and his sister Carol Boisa, remain missing and are presumed dead.
The U.S. Coast Guard concluded its active search Wednesday evening after covering more than 950 square nautical miles. The focus has now shifted to recovery efforts for the missing individuals.
The San Francisco Police Department expressed its condolences to those affected by the tragedy and thanked all partner agencies and the public for their swift actions during the rescue and ongoing recovery operations. The investigation into the cause of the sinking is continuing.