Full Breakdown
Tragedy on the Bay: Volare Capsizes Near Alcatraz
7/19/2026, 12:19:18 PM
The Capsizing Incident
On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, the 49-foot three-deck cabin cruiser Volare listed sharply after a large wave struck the vessel about 600 yards west of Alcatraz Island. The boat rolled over and sank in approximately 130 feet of water. Twenty people—including a dog—were aboard; sixteen were rescued, one passenger (79-year-old Clifford Joseph Boisa) died on the scene, and a second victim, Tondra Miller (also known as Tondra Madruga), was recovered on Thursday, July 16. Two passengers, Jackie Boisa and Carol Boisa, remain missing and are presumed dead.
Background & Context
The outing was a family memorial cruise to scatter the ashes of Maria Boisa, a Fremont nurse who died by suicide in 2015. The Boisa family and friends departed the Saint Francis Yacht Club in the morning, sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge, stopped at Angel Island’s Ayala Cove, and began the return trip when the wave struck.
Timeline of the Day
- 10:00 a.m. – Volare departs West Harbor (per boat-tracker data).
- 12:00 p.m. – Vessel docks at Angel Island’s Ayala Cove for a three-hour stop.
- ?3:30 p.m. – Wave hits; boat lists, floods, and capsizes near Alcatraz.
- 3:35 p.m. – SFPD Marine Unit receives distress call; rescue vessels arrive.
- Evening, July 14 – 16 survivors rescued; search for missing begins.
- July 15 – Coast Guard searches 950 sq nm; no additional survivors found.
- July 16 – Body of Tondra Miller recovered near Treasure Island.
- July 17 – SFPD locates wreckage 120-130 feet below the surface using sonar and a remotely operated vehicle (ROV).
Data & Statistics
- Vessel: Volare, 49 ft, three-deck cabin cruiser, registered in Stockton.
- Passengers: 20 people + 1 dog.
- Casualties: 2 confirmed deaths, 2 missing (presumed dead).
- Rescues: 16 survivors, 3 taken to hospitals and released.
- Search effort: 11 surface vessels, 4 aircraft, ~950 sq nm (?1,700 mi of track) over 23 hours.
- Wreck depth: 120-130 feet, in a heavily dredged shipping channel.
Why It Matters
The incident underscores the hazards of multi-deck recreational vessels in the Bay’s notoriously rough waters and raises questions about passenger distribution, vessel stability, and emergency response capabilities at depths beyond typical diver limits.
Official Statements & Responses
San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) emphasized an “all-hands-on-deck” effort, thanking partner agencies and civilian boaters for their rapid assistance. The U.S. Coast Guard, led by Capt. Jarod Toczko, announced the suspension of the search after concluding that the likelihood of finding additional survivors was low. Mayor Daniel Lurie called the tragedy “heartbreaking” and praised first responders for their “intensive operation.” The Coast Guard later clarified that no fire evidence existed, attributing the capsizing to a wave that caused the vessel to lose stability.
Criticism & Opposition
Initial reports suggested a fire on board; the Coast Guard later refuted this, stating the observed steam likely originated from the engine compartment as water entered. No other organized criticism has been reported.
On-the-Ground Reports
Survivor Stephanie Gollmer, a Palo Alto nurse, described the moment of impact: “There was one really far tilt this way, and we all went, ‘Oh,’ and then we all started going this way… Then we just realized my mom just went down.” She escaped by diving through a cabin window and credited a kite-surfer named Jason and a passerby named Jeff for keeping survivors afloat.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the precise cause of the capsize: some cite a “massive wave,” while others note “steam” and an initial fire rumor later dismissed. The exact location of the missing passengers—whether trapped inside the submerged cabin or elsewhere—remains unverified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Suspending an active search is one of the most difficult things we do as Coast Guard commanders,” — Capt. Jarod Toczko, U.S. Coast Guard
- “Everyone was just fun, jovial, fun conversations,” — Stephanie Gollmer, survivor, nurse
- “I loved Clifford with all of my heart,” — John Boisa, boat owner and U.S. Navy veteran
- “Our hearts go out to all the individuals involved in this tragic incident,” — San Francisco Police Department statement
What’s Next
The Coast Guard has halted the active search but will continue to assess the wreck with ROV footage to determine whether a safe recovery operation is feasible. Divers and engineers are evaluating options for raising the Volare, acknowledging the challenges posed by the depth and strong currents.
