The U.S.Coast Guard suspended its search Wednesday evening for three people who remain missing after a boat carrying members of an extended family capsized near Alcatraz Island during a memorial outing in San Francisco Bay.The 49-foot cabin cruiser sank Tuesday afternoon with 20 people aboard.
One person, identified as 79-year-old Clifford Joseph Boisa of Sutter County, died after being pulled from the water, while 16 others were rescued.A dog aboard the vessel also died.Authorities said the group had gathered to scatter the ashes of a loved one during a family memorial service.MULTIPLE RESCUED FROM PONTOON BOAT NEAR ALCATRAZ AS SEARCH CONTINUES FOR MISSING PERSONSSan Francisco Fire Department and U.S.
Coast Guard crews continue searching San Francisco Bay for three people missing after a recreational boat capsized near Alcatraz Island on July 15, 2026.One person died in the incident.
(Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)"Suspending an active search is one of the most difficult things we do as Coast Guard commanders," Coast Guard Sector San Francisco Commander Capt.Jarod Toczko said during a Wednesday news conference.
"Our goal is always to bring home families' loved ones."Toczko said crews searched for about 23 hours using 11 surface vessels and four aircraft, covering roughly 950 square nautical miles and more than 1,700 miles of search track before determining there was little likelihood of finding additional survivors.Families of the missing were notified before the search was suspended.Officials said the boat was struck by a wave, listed heavily, lost stability and rolled over before sinking.
Toczko said investigators found no evidence of the fire initially reported by callers, concluding that what was thought to be smoke was likely steam from the sinking vessel.NEW YORK HARBOR WHALE STRIKE SINKS FIRE RESCUE BOAT AFTER JULY 4 CELEBRATIONSAuthorities said the vessel had three enclosed levels, and survivor interviews indicated some passengers had been ins...