The U.S. Coast Guard suspended their search for three missing boaters near Alcatraz Island at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16, 2026. The search, which lasted more than 24 hours, followed the capsizing of a 49-foot vessel carrying 20 passengers. Captain Jared S. Toczko of the U.S. Coast Guard expressed the difficulty of suspending a search, extending condolences to the families affected.
The incident began on Tuesday afternoon when the Volare a cabin cruiser based out of Stockton, started sinking near Alcatraz Island. The passengers, mostly family members, were holding a memorial service when the boat was hit by a wave and capsized about 600 yards from shore. One life was lost, and three individuals remain missing.
The rescue mission
Captain Aaron Anfinson driving his fishing boat Bass Tub was among the first to respond to the distress call. Anfinson, who was on a chartered cruise with 32 passengers, quickly turned the outing into a rescue mission. He radioed the Coast Guard and raced to the scene, where he found the Volare rapidly sinking.
Anfinson and his crew, along with other privately owned boats, a kiteboarder, and a Red and White Fleet ferry, joined the rescue efforts. They found passengers clinging to the sinking boat and others in the frigid waters of the San Francisco Bay. Anfinson noticed that some passengers were not wearing life jackets and had no liferaft in sight, which are crucial safety gear required for Coast Guard-certified vessels.
The aftermath and investigation
The Coast Guard searched over 814 square miles but suspended the operation at sundown on Wednesday. Captain Toczko did not dismiss the possibility that the missing individuals could still be alive, though some may have been trapped inside the three-deck vessel. Witnesses described seeing people pounding on glass windows as the boat sank.
San francisco police Commander Brien Hoo stated that once the boat is located, officials will send either divers or an underwater drone to determine if it’s feasible to salvage it. If the boat is under 120 feet of water, it would be difficult for divers to reach it.
The vessel, registered out of Stockton, had departed a San Francisco marina, passed under the Golden Gate Bridge twice, and visited Angel Island State Park before sinking near Alcatraz. Witnesses reported rough seas, with swells reaching up to 5 feet. However, marine weather conditions did not warrant a small craft advisory from the National Weather Service.
Community response and reflections
Local boaters and emergency responders reflected on the incident, highlighting the sudden and dangerous turn of events. James Smith captain of the charter fishing boat California Dawn described the scene as chaotic, with people clinging to a board and others trapped on the sinking boat. Smith doubted that winds and waves alone could have capsized such a large vessel, suggesting a catastrophic event.
Commercial fisherman Shawn Chen Flading noted that the boat was more suited to calmer waters and that 20 passengers likely pushed the limit for a safe number on board. He emphasized the unpredictable nature of the bay, where conditions can change rapidly.
The incident has left a profound impact on the community, with many reflecting on the tragedy and the importance of safety measures on the water. The families of the missing individuals continue to grapple with the loss, as the search efforts have been suspended pending further developments.
