A tragic incident occurred in the San Francisco Bay when a pontoon boat capsized, resulting in one fatality and two individuals still missing. Emergency services swiftly initiated a rescue operation for the 19 people on board the vessel, which sank between the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island on a Tuesday afternoon.
San Francisco Fire Chief Dean Crispen confirmed the details, stating that the rescue teams discovered the submerged three-deck pontoon boat carrying the passengers. Initially reported as a fire incident, it was later clarified that there was no fire involved in the incident.
Despite some injuries from falling into the water, there were no reports of burns among the rescued individuals. The deceased victim was recovered from the water along with the 16 survivors but unfortunately succumbed later.
Rescue efforts are ongoing to locate the missing persons, utilizing divers, helicopters, and 11 vessels in a comprehensive search operation. All survivors have been transported to Gashouse Cove Marina, a local small craft harbor in San Francisco.
Fire Lt. Mariano Elias described the vessel as a “pontoon pleasure boat” located approximately 600 yards from Alcatraz Island. The distress call was received shortly after 3:30 p.m., prompting immediate response from the emergency services.
The boat was believed to have set off from the St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco. Visual footage captured by a local news station depicted the Fire Department’s swift action to rescue the stranded individuals amidst the partially submerged boat and floating debris.
In addition to the local Fire Department, the Coast Guard and Oakland police also joined the rescue efforts to ensure the safety of all individuals involved in the tragic boating incident.