Alcatraz boat tragedy: Officials identify 1 victim as Coast Guard suspends search
Retired reserve Sutter County sheriff's deputy ID'd as man who died in SF boat tragedy
Clifford Boisa, 79, a retired Sutter County reserve sheriff's deputy, died after the boat he was on sank during a memorial service.
SAN FRANCISCO - The U.S. Coast Guard's search for several people still missing after a recreational boat sank in the San Francisco Bay near Alcatraz Island was suspended Wednesday after authorities identified the elderly man who died in the tragedy.
Clifford Joseph Boisa, 79, of Sutter County, was pronounced dead after being pulled from the water Tuesday afternoon, according to the San Francisco Medical Examiner’s Office. Boisa's dog, who was on board the vessel, also died.
Boisa was a retired reserve deputy for the Sutter County Sheriff's Office.
"Reserve Deputy Boisa faithfully served the Sutter County Sheriff's Office and the community from 1987 to 2001. His years of dedicated service and commitment to public safety will not be forgotten," the sheriff's office said in a statement.
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Video captures struggle to survive and chaotic rescue in SF Bay after vessel sinks near Alcatraz
A chaotic scene unfolded on the San Francisco Bay Tuesday afternoon when a recreational vessel sank near Alcatraz Island, leaving multiple people struggling in the frigid, wind-whipped water as nearby boaters and first responders rushed to save them.
Boisa and 16 others were rescued after the boat began taking on water for reasons that remain under investigation. Three of the survivors were taken California Pacific Medical Center's Van Ness Campus and have since been released.
Authorities said 20 people were aboard the 40-foot pleasure craft, Volare, for a memorial service when it began sinking around 3:37 p.m. Tuesday.
San Francisco Fire Chief Dean Crispen said the passengers were relatives and close friends. The purpose of the gathering was to spread the ashes of a loved one, KTVU learned.
Clifford Boisa's younger brother, Ralph, told The Associated Press it was his extended family and a few close friends aboard the vessel. They were out celebrating the life of his daughter, who died over a decade ago when she was in her 30s. He said she loved to surf. Ralph said he lives in Washington and could not make it to the boat outing.
"We've gone through a lot of tragedy over the years," said Boisa, who lost his other daughter in 1995.
The three people missing are Ralph's sister Carol, Clifford's wife Jackie, and his daughter's friend, he said.
The vessel was registered out of Stockton.
Rough seas
What we know:
According to the Associated Press, the boat departed from or near the St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco, passed under the Golden Gate Bridge twice, stopped at Angel Island State Park, and was returning when it began taking on water between Fort Mason and Alcatraz Island.
The San Francisco Fire Department received multiple emergency calls and arrived to find the vessel actively sinking.
"The reports we've had from witnesses is that there were rough seas, and apparently the vessel began to take on water and was turned over in the bay," Crispen said.
Initial callers reported seeing what appeared to be smoke coming from the boat, but San Francisco police officers who arrived first determined it was steam.
Fishermen credited in saving lives after boat sinks in San Francisco Bay
Officials with the San Francisco Fire Department, the U.S. Coast Guard and Mayor Daniel Laurie gave an update on the boat that sank near Alcatraz on Tuesday. Officials noted the extensive search and rescue will go into the evening.
Coast Guard Incident Commander Jarod Toczko said the cabin cruiser had three levels, including a weather canopy, an enclosed main deck, and a lower deck.
Investigators believe the vessel was struck by a wave, took on water, and rolled over, throwing many passengers into the bay.
The vessel has not been recovered and is believed to be about 130 feet below the surface. Officials are still working to pinpoint its exact location.
Toczko said there were reports that some people were still on those enclosed decks as the boat sank and became trapped. However, authorities have not confirmed whether anyone was inside because the boat has not yet been recovered.
He said the cruise boat lies too deep for most dive operations, saying it's hard for divers to go below about 120 feet.
The San Francisco Police Department is investigating why the boat sank. Police said they will bring in a company that specializes in recovery efforts and will use underwater drones, if and when the sunken boat is found, in order to see if it can be raised to the surface to find anyone who may still be missing.
Search suspended
The Coast Guard announced on Wednesday that they would suspend their search at sundown. The search was in fact suspended at 8:30 p.m., officials said.
"Suspending a search is one of the hardest parts of our job and our condolences are with the families of all involved," said Capt. Toczko. "We appreciate the support and dedication from our partner agencies and local mariners who rushed on scene to rescue 20 individuals in distress."
Well over a dozen response crews and partner agencies from throughout the Bay Area and Sacramento were involved in the search effort.
A retired harbor master and vessel removal expert talked about what recovery looks like. Brock de Lappe, former Oakland Estuary Harbor Master, said to recover the sunken boat, the effort will require sonar and divers.
"It'll take a barge and a crane, salvage companies on the Bay have the capability to do that," he said.
Experts said the operation would likely take place during morning hours when weather conditions are calmer. They said it would take a dive team of six or more people and that the process could take several days depending on conditions.
Tragedy on the Bay
What they're saying:
Witnesses described a frantic scene as the burgundy-colored boat became mostly submerged. One witness, a crew member on another recreational boat who asked not to be named, said she heard the U.S. Coast Guard on the radio responding to the call for help.
"There were people clinging to the top of it, there were people in the water, a lot of debris scattered all over the place," the woman said. "Four or five people were hanging onto the top of that boat, and they were waiting to be taken out of that water."
The witness said she and her crew went to see if they could assist in the rescue.
She recalled that most survivors were either wearing a life jacket or holding onto one, but she also witnessed a desperate struggle for survival.
"It was just so sad because the people appeared to be middle-aged to elderly people. You could tell they were struggling in the water. They were trying to swim over to the Coast Guard boat," she said.
Fishermen, kiteboarder praised for rescues
Authorities praised the actions of nearby fishermen and a kiteboarder who helped rescue people from the water before first responders arrived.
Officials said the kiteboarder allowed several survivors to cling to his board until rescuers reached them.
The investigation into what caused the vessel to sink and capsize is ongoing.
Search continues for three still missing after boat disaster near Alcatraz
A 79-year-old man is dead and three others are missing as the search and rescue effort continues a day after a boat carrying 20 people sank near Alcatraz Island.
The Source: This story was written based on information from the San Francisco Fire Department, U.S Coast Guard, The Associated Press and firsthand witness accounts.