The second day of search and rescue efforts continues with the United States Coast Guard leading the mission to locate three missing people who were onboard a cabin cruiser when it capsized Tuesday afternoon on the San Francisco Bay.
As of 6 a.m. Wednesday, the San Francisco Fire Department and its fire boat were told to return back to their posts as the coast guard continued its search.
A press conference is set to take place at 2 p.m., hosted by the coast guard, regarding updates on the search and rescue.
Where is the Volare?
The Stockton-based vessel named Volare sank and is now at the bottom of the bay, Lt. Mariano Elias, public information officer for the San Francisco Fire Department said Wednesday.
He said in the location where it happened, the shipping channel is 120 feet deep and is the area where ships with containers travel through.
Elias said the depth surpasses the maximum dive capabilities of 60 feet so they were not able to dive.
However, fire department officials did put two rescue swimmers in the water and searched the top deck of the boat that remained visible when crews arrived at the scene.
When asked if officials believed the bodies of those missing were swept out to sea or trapped on the boat as it sank, Elias said, “It can be either one. It could really be either one. It’s unknown.”
Rough seas cause Stockton-based Volare to capsize
Volare had departed from St. Francis Yacht Club. Witnesses reported rough seas, and the vessel began to take on water, which caused it to turn over in the bay.
Twenty people, who were believed to be family, were on the boat for a memorial service, according to fire officials.
At about 3:37 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14, multiple callers reported a vessel in distress or on fire in San Francisco Bay, the San Francisco Fire Department said. The boat was about 600 yards off Alcatraz Island.
Clifford Joseph Boisa, 79, of Sutter County, was pulled from the water and died after being taken to Gashouse Cove.
Thirteen people were not injured and were taken to the family reunification center at Fort Mason. Three injured people were taken to a hospital. They were expected to be released Tuesday evening.
Elias said it was unclear if the boat was hauled into San Francisco or if it was sailed to the bay.
“That’s the ultimate question. It’s unclear how the boat got there,” Elias said.
He said he heard many people had driven to the city and their keys were on the boat when it sank. Therefore, they were unable to get their vehicles from the yacht club where the passengers had stopped.
Average temperature year round in the bay is about 55 degrees Fahrenheit with the current constantly changing, Elias said.
Record reporter Victoria Franco covers public safety in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at vfranco@gannett.com. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.
This article originally appeared on The Record: U.S. Coast Guard leads search of missing boat passengers in San Francisco Bay
Reporting by Victoria Franco, The Stockton Record / The Record
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Victoria Franco, The Stockton Record | USA TODAY Network
