Wreckage Found After Capsize Near Alcatraz; Search Continues

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, July 19, 2026

The San Francisco Police located the capsized cabin cruiser Volare on the bay floor near Alcatraz Island after a multi-day sonar search, with recovery efforts complicated by the vessel resting 130 feet underwater. Authorities are now assessing the feasibility of salvage operations as they continue to investigate the cause of the sinking, which resulted in at least two confirmed deaths and two missing passengers presumed dead.

The wreckage of the Volare, a 49-foot cabin cruiser that capsized in San Francisco Bay earlier this week, has been located on the bay floor near Alcatraz Island, authorities confirmed Friday. The vessel sank approximately 600 feet west of the island in water roughly 130 feet deep, complicating recovery efforts due to the depth and water pressure.

The San Francisco Police Department’s marine unit has been conducting a sonar search since Tuesday and identified the submerged boat on Friday. Officials are now deploying an underwater drone to assess the condition of the wreckage and determine the feasibility of raising the vessel. “We’re going to have to look for a specialized company that can help with recovery and help lift the boat,” said San Francisco Police Cmdr. Brien Hoo, noting that salvage efforts at this depth present significant challenges.

The cabin cruiser was carrying 20 passengers who were attending a memorial service when it capsized. Four individuals are believed to have died in the incident, with two confirmed fatalities and two others still missing and presumed dead. Among the confirmed victims is 79-year-old Clifford Joseph Boisa, who died Tuesday from injuries related to the accident. The body of 58-year-old Tondra Miller was recovered Thursday near Treasure Island. Authorities have not publicly identified the two remaining missing passengers.

Survivors recounted that a wave struck the vessel, causing it to list sharply and roll over. However, maritime experts and investigators have raised doubts about whether a single wave could have capsized a boat of the Volare’s size and design. Officials suggest the boat likely took on water due to a sequence of failures or other contributing factors that led to the sinking. The U.S. Coast Guard’s San Francisco sector commander, Jarod Toczko, stated there is a “high probability” that some of the missing passengers may have been trapped inside the hull when the vessel overturned. Testimonies indicate most passengers were on the main deck at the time, though some may have been below deck.

The San Francisco Police Department continues to investigate the cause of the capsizing and the status of the missing passengers. In a statement released Friday, the department expressed condolences to those affected and thanked other agencies and the public for their swift response and ongoing support in the search and rescue operations.

The recovery and investigation remain ongoing as officials weigh their next steps in safely bringing the boat to the surface and conducting a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.