Boat Capsizes Near Alcatraz: Sacramento and Stockton Families Affected in Tragic Memorial Service Incident

A 50-foot cabin cruiser carrying twenty people from the Sacramento and Stockton areas capsized near Alcatraz Island on Wednesday, leaving one person dead and three others still missing. According to fire officials, the Volare cabin cruiser went down while passengers were participating in a memorial service together. Rescuers pulled sixteen people from the water and transported them to Gashouse Cove Marina, with three requiring hospital treatment for injuries. The victim has been identified as 79-year-old Clifford Joseph Boisa of Sutter County.

The boat is believed to have been launched from the Saint Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco. Authorities say the vessel was approximately three stories high and 50 feet long, carrying mostly adult family members. The Coast Guard and San Francisco Fire Department are actively searching for the three missing persons and investigating what caused the capsizing. Anyone with information about family members on the vessel is being asked to contact the Red Cross.

This tragedy raises important questions about water safety, vessel operations, and emergency response procedures on the Bay. For families who came together to honor a loved one, this incident has turned what should have been a meaningful day into a devastating loss. What do you think should be done to prevent similar incidents in the future?