Sixteen people survived after the Volare capsized during a family trip to scatter a loved one’s ashes in San Francisco Bay.
SAN FRANCISCO — Two people have died and two remain missing after a 49-foot cabin cruiser carrying 20 relatives and friends capsized and sank near Alcatraz Island during a family memorial trip, according to authorities and updated local reports.
The vessel, named Volare, went down Tuesday afternoon in rough waters about 600 yards from Alcatraz. Sixteen people were rescued, including three who were taken to a hospital with injuries that authorities described as not life-threatening. The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its broad search-and-rescue operation Wednesday evening, while San Francisco police continued working to find the wreck and the remaining missing passengers.
The first person confirmed dead was Clifford Joseph Boisa, 79, of Sutter County. Rescue crews pulled him from the cold water alive and attempted to revive him, but he later died. A dog aboard the vessel also died. On Thursday, authorities recovered another body west of Treasure Island while a police marine unit was using sonar to search the bay. The second victim was identified in published reports as Tondra Madruga, 58, of Sacramento County.
Two women connected to the Boisa family remained missing Thursday. They were identified in news reports as Jackie Boisa, Clifford Boisa’s wife, and Carol Boisa, his sister. Family members said the missing women may have been inside an enclosed section of the boat when the vessel rolled and sank. Authorities had not publicly confirmed where they were when the emergency began.
The group had gathered for a memorial outing and was returning from an ash-scattering ceremony near Angel Island. Most of those aboard were relatives or family friends. The boat had traveled beneath the Golden Gate Bridge before conditions became increasingly rough during the return trip, according to accounts from survivors and relatives.
Coast Guard Sector San Francisco received a report at about 3:20 p.m. Tuesday of a possible fire aboard a cabin cruiser. The initial report listed 19 people aboard, but officials later raised the number to 20. Responders determined that what witnesses believed was smoke was steam produced as the vessel’s hot engine came into contact with the bay water.
By the time emergency crews reached the area, the Volare was largely submerged. San Francisco Fire Chief Dean Crispen said the vessel’s motor was still operating and fuel was leaking into the water. Passengers were found in the bay or clinging to parts of the sinking boat as public safety crews and nearby private vessels moved in to help.
A fishing and sightseeing boat called the Bass-Tub was among the private vessels that assisted. Its crew diverted after another boater pointed toward the Volare. Captain Aaron Anfinson told reporters that some passengers were already in the water when his vessel arrived. His crew distributed flotation devices and helped pull survivors aboard.
The survivors were taken to Gashouse Cove Marina, where officials established a triage and reunification area. Emergency agencies involved in the response included the Coast Guard, San Francisco police and fire departments, the Oakland and Tiburon fire departments and the Marin County Sheriff’s Office.
The Coast Guard used boats, aircraft, search modeling and other equipment while looking for the missing passengers. Officials said crews searched more than 1,000 square miles before suspending the active rescue mission Wednesday. Authorities said suspending the operation did not mean that all efforts connected to the incident had ended.
Police marine crews continued using sonar and underwater technology to locate the sunken boat, which investigators believe may be resting about 120 feet below the surface. The wreck is thought to be in a rocky area near an active shipping channel, where strong currents, poor visibility and heavy marine traffic could make a diving or recovery operation dangerous.
Authorities have not determined what caused the Volare to capsize. Survivors described windy, choppy conditions and said a large wave may have struck the vessel before it rolled. Investigators have not confirmed that account as the official cause. It also remained unclear how many passengers were wearing life jackets when the boat sank.
The San Francisco Police Department is leading the investigation into the sinking, with assistance from the Coast Guard and other agencies. Officials were continuing to search for the wreck and evaluate possible recovery options Thursday as the families of the two missing women awaited further information.
Author note: Last updated July 16, 2026.