Sunken Memorial Boat Located 130 Feet Deep Near Alcatraz

The San Francisco Police Department located the sunken 49-foot cabin cruiser Volare on Friday lying between 120 and 130 feet beneath San Francisco Bay in a shipping channel about 600 yards west of Alcatraz Island. The Marine Unit found the vessel using boat-mounted sonar after several days of searching. The Volare sank at approximately 3:35 p.m.

Tuesday while carrying 20 people for a memorial service to scatter ashes. New York Post reported that investigators believe a massive wave struck the three-deck vessel, causing it to list sharply to starboard, flood and roll over. Authorities are examining whether the distribution of passengers across the decks affected stability.

Sixteen people were rescued by civilian boaters and crews from the San Francisco Police Department, San Francisco Fire Department and U.S. Coast Guard. Only about half of those aboard wore life jackets.

The Coast Guard ended its search Wednesday evening after covering more than 950 square nautical miles. Clifford Joseph Boisa, 79, of Sutter County, was rescued Tuesday but later died from cardiac arrest and exposure. Tondra Miller, also known as Tondra Madruga, 58, of Sacramento County, was found floating near Treasure Island on Thursday afternoon.

Jackie Boisa and Carol Boisa remain missing and are presumed dead. Boat owner and captain John Boisa survived. Police are using a remotely operated underwater vehicle to inspect the wreckage and determine whether the vessel can be raised safely from the dark, fast-moving water.