SAN FRANCISCO—On Wednesday, July 15, officials confirmed that the search for three missing passengers missing from the boat that capsized on July 14 continues. Lt. Mariano Elias, the spokesperson from the San Francisco Fire Department (SFPD) indicated that the passengers could have been washed out to sea or trapped inside the sinking boat.
One person has been confirmed dead following the water rescue and attempts of CPR.
On Tuesday, July 14, at approximately 3:30 p.m., emergency personnel from the U.S. Coast Guard, and the SFPD responded to a call of a 50-foot, three-deck pontoon style boat that capsized and was sinking off the San Francisco coast, near Alcatraz Island.
Initial reports indicated 20 passengers were on board, most of whom were family members that had chartered the boat together. San Francisco Fire chief, Dean Crispin, later confirmed there were 19 people on board, 16 were rescued, thirteen made it safely to shore, three others were taken to area hospitals, and three were missing. Members of the U.S. Coast Guard led a search for the missing passengers.
The cause of the sinking boat is still unknown. Initial reports of a fire on board were false. Fire Chief Crispin confirmed that the cause is still under investigation but was not a fire.
The following details were posted “For Immediate Release,” by the San Francisco Fire Department Multi-Agency Water Rescue Response, San Francisco Bay.
“On July 14, 2026, at approximately 3:37 p.m. PDT, multiple 911 callers reported a vessel in distress on the San Francisco Bay. Multiple public safety agencies responded with ground and water assets, including the San Francisco Police Department, San Francisco Fire Department, United States Coast Guard, Oakland Police Department, Tiburon Fire Department, and Southern Marin Fire Protection District, as well as commercial and recreational vessels in the area.
San Francisco Police Department Marine 3 was the first public safety vessel to arrive on scene and confirmed that a 49-foot cabin cruiser named Volare, documented out of Stockton, California, was in distress, with steam that callers misinterpreted as smoke. Marine 3 confirmed multiple subjects requiring rescue as additional public safety vessels from the San Francisco Fire Department and allied agencies arrived on scene.
A total of 19 individuals was reported aboard the vessel. Seventeen people were rescued from the water. One of those rescued required life-saving measures and, unfortunately, succumbed to injuries sustained in this incident. Three others were transported to a local hospital and are in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries. A dog aboard the vessel was also confirmed deceased.
Per witness statements, three individuals remain missing at this time, bringing the total to 20 persons in this incident.
As of 8:30 p.m. PDT, the United States Coast Guard and San Francisco Fire Department are continuing search and rescue operations for the three individuals who remain missing.
These teams are using technologies such as thermal imaging, tide prediction, and modeling to help direct search efforts.
Those affected were assisted on scene by American Red Cross and Human Services Agency with food, blankets and family reunification.”
