Full Breakdown
Tragedy on the Bay: Capsizing of the Volare Near Alcatraz
7/20/2026, 2:56:05 AM
The Capsizing Incident
On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, the 49-foot, three-deck cabin cruiser Volare listed and rolled over about 600 yards (? 550 m) west of Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay. The vessel, registered in Stockton and certified for 20 passengers, was returning from a memorial sail when a wave struck the hull at roughly 3:30 p.m.. The boat sank in water 120–130 ft deep. Of the 20 occupants, 16 were rescued, two were confirmed dead—Clifford Joseph Boisa, 79, and Tondra Madruga (also known as Tondra Miller), 58—and two family members, Carol Boisa, 74, and Jackie Boisa, remain missing. A dog aboard also perished.
Background & Context
The outing was organized to scatter the ashes of Maria Boisa, who died by suicide in 2015. Earlier that morning the Volare sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge, entered the Pacific Ocean, and later turned back toward Angel Island before the capsizing. The boat had already navigated rougher waters that day, but conditions were described as “moderate” with only a 4-foot chop.
Key Figures & Groups
- John Boisa, 62 – owner and captain, former Navy officer.
- Stephanie Gollmer, Palo Alto nurse – survivor who escaped through a cabin window.
- Ralph Boisa, 77 – brother of John, who lamented the family loss.
- Capt. Jarod Toczko, Coast Guard Sector San Francisco commander (spelled “Tosczko” in some reports).
- James Smith, veteran seaman who witnessed the rescue.
- Randell Sharpe, marine accident investigator.
- Jim Elfers, Bay-area marine surveyor.
Timeline
- 10:15 a.m. – Volare departs Marina Yacht Harbor (VesselFinder data).
- Morning – Passes under Golden Gate Bridge; ashes of Maria Boisa scattered.
- Afternoon – Returns past Angel Island, heads toward the city.
- ? 3:30 p.m. – Wave impacts vessel; it lists, rolls, and sinks.
- Immediate – 16 rescued; 1 died on scene (Clifford Boisa).
- Thursday – Body of Tondra Madruga recovered near Treasure Island.
- Wednesday night – Coast Guard suspends search after covering 950 sq nm.
- Friday – Police Marine Unit locates wreckage at ~120 ft depth; ROV deployed.
Data & Statistics
- Passengers: 20 (including a dog).
- Rescued: 16.
- Confirmed deaths: 2.
- Missing: 2.
- Search area: 950 square nautical miles.
- Boat capacity: 20 passengers; documentation valid 2025-2030.
Why It Matters
The incident underscores safety challenges for private charter vessels operating in congested, choppy waters. Experts highlighted potential failures—loss of a cooling-water line, open cabin windows, or a “beam-sea effect” amplified by passenger distribution—that could turn a moderate wave into a catastrophic capsize. The tragedy also prompted a community response, including calls to adopt the elderly cat Miss Tina that belonged to the missing Carol Boisa.
Official Statements & Responses
- Capt. Jarod Toczko (Coast Guard): “All indications are that things happened very quickly.”
- San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie: thanked “first responders and civilian boaters for their heroic actions.”
- San Francisco Police Department: announced the use of a remotely operated vehicle to assess the wreck and that recovery options are under evaluation.
- John Boisa: confirmed cooperation with investigators but declined public comment.
Criticism & Opposition
Marine experts questioned the initial wave-only explanation. James Smith observed, “Something went catastrophically wrong with the boat to make it go down like that.” Randell Sharpe added, “For a vessel that size to basically be overcome, it’s not going to be just a single wave.” Jim Elfers suggested a possible loss of the raw-water cooling line or open portholes, noting that a 2-inch breach could flood the hull rapidly.
On-the-Ground Reports
Survivor Stephanie Gollmer described diving through a cabin window, striking her head repeatedly, and searching frantically for her mother. She credited a kite-surfer named Jason and a passerby Jeff for keeping her afloat and providing blankets. Rescuer Justin Marceline reported passengers “banging on the windows, trying to get out” as the boat sank.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- The Coast Guard commander’s surname appears as Toczko in most reports and Tosczko in others.
- The precise cause of the capsizing remains undetermined; possibilities include a wave, cooling-line failure, open windows, or a beam-sea effect.
- The exact wreck location was unknown until Friday’s sonar sweep.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Everyone was just fun, jovial, fun conversations,” — Stephanie Gollmer, nurse
- “Half of my siblings are gone,” — Ralph Boisa, 77
- “Something went catastrophically wrong with the boat to make it go down like that,” — James Smith, veteran seaman
- “All indications are that things happened very quickly,” — Capt. Jarod Toczko, Coast Guard
- “For a vessel that size to basically be overcome, it’s not going to be just a single wave,” — Randell Sharpe, marine accident investigator
What’s Next
Authorities plan to continue using the ROV to map the wreck and will assess the feasibility of raising the Volare. The Coast Guard has not set a timeline for a full recovery, citing underwater currents, depth, and structural integrity as factors.
