What was meant to be a peaceful family memorial turned into a desperate fight for survival in San Francisco Bay.
One person has died and three others remain missing after a three-deck pontoon boat capsized about 600 yards from the famous Alcatraz Island on Tuesday afternoon.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene after receiving reports of a vessel in distress.
San Francisco Fire Department Chief Dean Crispen said rescue teams found a man in the water “in severe distress” and immediately began CPR.
Despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead after reaching shore.
Around 20 adults, mostly family members, were aboard the 50-foot vessel, Volare, gathering for what officials described as a memorial service.
Rescuers Hunt For Missing
Three people were taken to hospital with injuries but are in stable condition, while 13 others escaped unharmed.
Early reports suggested the boat was on fire, but investigators later found no evidence of flames.
Instead, witnesses described rough waters causing the vessel to take on water before overturning.
Longshoreman Justin Marceline, who helped rescue survivors, described the scene as “complete chaos.”
He recalled exhausted and panicked passengers struggling to stay afloat as rescuers pulled them from the bay.
Search teams, alongside the US Coast Guard, continue looking for the missing.
Sometimes, even a quiet farewell can become a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly nature can change the course of a day.
