A 79-year-old man has died and three others are still missing after a pontoon boat capsized near Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay on Tuesday. The US Coast Guard has suspended its search for the missing individuals, with 20 people rescued from the water.
The incident occurred around 600 yards from Alcatraz Island, with the San Francisco Fire Department receiving a report of a vessel in distress at 3:37 pm local time. A marine unit arrived on the scene to find a man in the water in severe distress, who was later declared deceased.
Boat Accident Near Alcatraz
The 50ft cabin cruiser, called Volare, was carrying 20 adults, mostly family members, who were engaging in a memorial service when the boat went down. Three people on the boat were injured and taken to a local hospital, where they are in stable condition.
The cause of the incident is still under investigation, with witnesses reporting rough seas and the vessel taking on water before capsizing. Longshoreman Justin Marceline, who helped rescue people from the vessel, described the scene as “complete chaos” with exhausted and frantic passengers.
Investigation and Aftermath
The Coast Guard has paid tribute to the partner agencies involved in the rescue efforts, with commander Capt Jarod Toczko expressing condolences to the families of those affected. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maritime safety and the need for thorough investigations into such incidents.
The US Coast Guard’s decision to suspend the search for the missing individuals brings an end to the immediate rescue efforts, but the investigation into the cause of the incident is ongoing. The incident has raised questions about the safety of vessels in the San Francisco Bay area and the need for emergency preparedness.
