A boat carrying 20 people capsized near Alcatraz on Tuesday, July 15th, in an incident that’s left families from the Sacramento area searching for answers. The Valore, a cabin cruiser launched from the Saint Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco, went down during rough waters while passengers participated in a memorial service. Most of those aboard were in their 50s or older with connections to our region. Despite swift rescue operations, 79-year-old Clifford Joseph Boisa, a retired reserve deputy for the Sutter County Sheriff’s Office, lost his life. Three people remain missing, and 16 were successfully rescued.
The U.S. Coast Guard conducted an extensive search covering nearly 950 nautical miles before suspending active operations Wednesday evening. Officials cited limited probability of locating survivors given the environmental conditions and search scope, a decision one commander described as among the most difficult in their career. Then on Thursday, San Francisco Police Department discovered a body in the water near Treasure Island during sonar scanning operations, though authorities have not yet confirmed whether it’s connected to the boat incident. The recovered body is pending identification by the Medical Examiner’s Office while investigations continue into what caused the capsizing.
Several critical questions remain unanswered: Were proper safety protocols followed aboard the vessel? How many life jackets were available? What role did the bay’s rough conditions play in the sinking? For the families grieving the loss of Clifford Joseph Boisa and waiting for word on the three missing passengers, these investigations matter deeply. What additional safety measures do you think should be standard for boats operating in San Francisco Bay?
About the Author
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
