San Francisco, California — A family gathering meant to honor the memory of a loved one ended in tragedy after a boat carrying 20 people capsized in San Francisco Bay, leaving one man dead and three others missing.
Authorities said the incident occurred Tuesday afternoon between the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island, where a 50-foot, three-deck cabin cruiser suddenly sank while family members and friends were gathered for a memorial service.
The devastating accident has left relatives grieving as rescue efforts transition into a recovery operation.
Family Was Honoring Loved One During Memorial Trip
According to family members, the group had gathered to scatter the ashes of Ralph Boisa’s daughter, who died in 2016.
Ralph Boisa was unable to attend the memorial but later learned about the tragedy through a heartbreaking phone call from his eldest daughter, who had been aboard the vessel.
Speaking publicly after the incident, Ralph described the emotional moment he learned the boat had gone down.
“This was a terrible, terrible accident, and it’s just a horrible thing to have to reckon with at this point.”
He said his daughter, her husband and their three sons were among those who managed to escape safely after the boat capsized.
“My oldest daughter, who was on the boat with her family, called me and was pretty distraught,” Ralph recalled.
One Victim Identified, Three Others Still Missing
Officials identified the deceased passenger as 79-year-old Clifford Joseph Boisa, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Clifford’s wife Jackie, his sister Carol, and a family friend remain missing following the accident.
Authorities have not released additional details regarding the circumstances that caused the boat to sink. Emergency responders rescued multiple survivors after the vessel went under in the chilly waters of San Francisco Bay.
Brother Remembers Clifford as Community-Minded
Ralph described his late brother as someone deeply devoted to his community and family.
He said Clifford was looking forward to celebrating his 80th birthday in September, making the tragedy even more heartbreaking for loved ones.
“Very outgoing, community-minded,” Ralph said while remembering his brother.
As hopes of finding the remaining passengers faded, Ralph acknowledged the difficult reality facing the family.
“There’s always hope, but I know it’s pretty cold, and in my mind it’s very unlikely that they’re going to find them alive.”
Coast Guard Suspends Search
The U.S. Coast Guard announced it had suspended its search for the three missing passengers after extensive rescue efforts.
Officials said making the decision to end an active search is never easy.
“Suspending a search is one of the hardest parts of our job and our condolences are with the families of all involved,” U.S. Coast Guard Captain Jared S. Toczko said in a statement.
Investigators are expected to continue examining what caused the boat to capsize as authorities work to determine the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident.
For the Boisa family, what began as a day to remember a loved one has become another unimaginable loss that will be felt for years to come.
What are your thoughts on this heartbreaking tragedy? Have you ever witnessed emergency responders during a boating accident or water rescue? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.
