One individual has passed away, while three are unaccounted for, and 16 people were successfully rescued around Alcatraz Island in San Francisco during a memorial service ferrying family members.
A pontoon vessel with three decks was discovered nearly submerged in the waters off San Francisco when emergency responders reached the location yesterday afternoon. San Francisco Fire Chief Dean Crispen mentioned that the boat’s motor was still operational and leaking fuel.
The boat was primarily carrying relatives participating in a memorial service, according to authorities, who continued their search for the missing individuals in the open sea well into the evening. The search operation, conducted on the western side of the Golden Gate Bridge, included divers, helicopters, and various vessels.
Initially, two persons were thought to be missing, but this count was revised to three following discussions with witnesses. Mr. Crispen stated, “We are currently in full rescue mode,” and noted that three individuals who sustained injuries from falling off the boat were transported to a hospital and were expected to be discharged by Tuesday night.
Video footage from the scene depicted rescue boats being dispatched to the location of the sunken vessel. Although the incident was first reported as a fire, Mr. Crispen clarified that the fire service had not found any evidence to support this claim.
The deceased individual was responsive when retrieved from the water but later succumbed, along with a dog that was also on board.
All rescued individuals were taken to Gashouse Cove Marina, a small boat harbor in San Francisco. Alcatraz Island, renowned as a former federal prison due to its challenging ocean currents and cold Pacific waters, now draws over one million visitors annually as a popular tourist spot.
Situated in San Francisco Bay approximately a mile north of the city’s coastline, Alcatraz Island is a windy area attracting sailboats and recreational vessels. Aaron Anfinson, captain of the Bass-Tub, informed the San Francisco Chronicle that while navigating through windy and mildly choppy waters towards the Golden Gate Bridge, a man on a smaller boat alerted them to a pontoon boat appearing to be on fire in the bay. By the time the Bass-Tub reached the scene, the flames had extinguished, but the pontoon was sinking.
According to Mr. Anfinson, some individuals were already in the water while others remained on board, and efforts were made to distribute life jackets to passengers. One woman sustained a head injury.
“We prioritized rescuing her first,” Anfinson stated. A deckhand lowered a swim ladder and threw a life ring into the water to assist in pulling her aboard.
Anfinson expressed his unease, stating, “It was a frightening situation. I wouldn’t want anyone to be in that position.”
Fire lieutenant Mariano Elias described the vessel as a “pontoon pleasure boat,” located approximately 600 yards from Alcatraz, with the emergency call coming in just after 3:30 pm. Crispen mentioned that the boat was believed to have set off near the St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco.
When contacted, an individual at the club stated they had no information regarding the incident. The Coast Guard and Oakland police also provided assistance in the rescue operation, as stated by Lt. Elias.