A group of 20 family members on a boat excursion to spread the ashes of a loved one who died by suicide in 2016 were aboard a vessel that capsized near Alcatraz Island, authorities said. One person has died, and three remain missing.
The boat, named the Volare, lost stability after being struck by a wave and capsized between Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge on Tuesday. The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search for the missing passengers at sundown Wednesday.
Ralph Boisa, a survivor and the adoptive father of Maria Boisa, stated that the group had taken the cruise to scatter her ashes in the waters near Alcatraz. Maria Boisa, who loved surfing, died by suicide in 2016.
"Maria loved surfing so her family decided to bid her a final goodbye in the frigid waters near Alcatraz in the San Francisco Bay," Boisa told the San Francisco Standard.
Among the deceased is Cliff Boisa, 79, Ralph Boisa's brother, who had served as a reserve deputy for the Sutter County Sheriff’s Office from 1987 to 2011. Missing are Cliff Boisa's wife, Jackie, Carol Boisa (sister to Ralph and Cliff), and a friend of Maria's. A female body was recovered, according to the Standard.
U.S. Coast Guard Captain Jarod Toczko explained during a press conference Wednesday that the vessel became unstable after the wave impact. The boat overturned and submerged. Rescuers arrived to find the two lower levels already underwater around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The boat was owned and piloted by John Boisa, another brother to Ralph and Cliff Boisa.
Officials stated the boat launched from near San Francisco’s St. Francis Yacht Club. The U.S. Coast Guard initially reported it as a vessel fire with 19 people aboard, but the San Francisco Fire Department later confirmed no evidence of fire was found.