One person was killed and three others were missing Tuesday after a boat carrying 20 people sank in San Francisco Bay near Alcatraz Island, officials said.
The San Francisco Fire Department and the U.S. Coast Guard were called around 3:30 p.m. after reports of a boat fire in the waters between the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz.
San Francisco Fire Chief Dean Crispen said a police marine unit was the first to reach the scene. Officers found a man in the water in “severe distress” and pulled him aboard, where they began CPR. He was later taken to Gas House Cove and pronounced dead.
Authorities initially believed 19 people had been on the vessel, Crispen said, but witness statements later indicated there were 20 people aboard.
Thirteen passengers were safely brought to shore, while three others were transported to a hospital in stable condition. Crispen said most of the injuries appeared to be impact-related, sustained when people jumped into the water.
Three people were still missing, according to the fire chief.
San Francisco Fire Lt. Mariano Elias identified the boat as the Volare, a 50-foot cabin cruiser based in Stockton. Officials said it was not immediately known why the vessel sank roughly 600 yards from Alcatraz.
“The information we have is that it left from St. Francis Yacht Club, and the initial report was a vessel on fire. Upon arrival, our members did not evidence any fire. The reports we’ve had from witnesses is that there was rough seas and apparently the vessel began to take on water and was turned over in the bay,” Crispen said.
Crews had 11 vessels involved in the effort to find the missing boaters, Crispen said, and they planned to continue their search through the night.
“I want to make sure that every family member out there and everybody knows that we are in an active search,” San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie said. “This is an all-hands-on-deck search and, hopefully, rescue.”
Crispen said all the people on board are adults, and most of them are family members.
“Our understanding was there was some sort of memorial service they were engaging in. That’s why they were using this particular vessel,” Crispen said.
Officials set up a family reunification center at Fort Mason, which is west of Fisherman’s Wharf, and the 13 taken safely to shore were at the center.
Crispen said the initial rescue also involved the Oakland Police Department’s marine unit and private vessels in addition to the Coast Guard.
Anyone who believes a family member may have been on the boat and is looking for more information should call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).
