Authorities Recover Sunken Vessel After Tragic Bay Incident
Wreckage Discovery and Victim Identification
San Francisco police find wreckage of boat – San Francisco police find wreckage of a cabin cruiser that sank during a memorial ceremony on the bay. Law enforcement officials announced the discovery on Friday, confirming that marine unit personnel had successfully located the submerged vessel. This finding came just one day after rescuers recovered the body of a missing passenger from the cold waters. The San Francisco medical examiner’s office officially identified the deceased as Tondra Madruga, a 58-year-old woman who was also known by the name Tondra Miller.
The Volare, a 49-foot (15-meter) cabin cruiser, capsized on Wednesday afternoon when a powerful wave struck the vessel. All twenty passengers aboard were thrown into the bay’s waters during the sudden and dramatic incident. According to eyewitness accounts, the group had gathered for a meaningful occasion—to scatter the ashes of a cherished family member on the water in a traditional ceremony.
Search Operations and Recovery Efforts
The San Francisco Police Department’s marine division deployed advanced boat-mounted sonar equipment to pinpoint the vessel’s exact location beneath the surface. After conducting extensive underwater scanning operations, crews identified the Volare resting on the rocky ocean floor at a depth of approximately 120 feet (36 meters). Investigators are currently utilizing a remotely operated vehicle to carefully examine the wreckage and evaluate whether the boat can be safely brought to the surface for further investigation.
Search operations covered an impressive area spanning more than 800 square miles, which exceeds 2,000 square kilometers. The Coast Guard noted that this search zone represents roughly half the total land area of Rhode Island. Despite the vast expanse covered, the bay’s notoriously strong currents complicated rescue efforts significantly. This prompted searchers to extend their operations into the open ocean beyond the Golden Gate Bridge within hours of the sinking, as conditions made it difficult to locate survivors in the turbulent waters.
Victims and Survivors
Tragically, one passenger did not survive the ordeal despite being rescued from the water. Clifford Boisa was pulled from the frigid bay waters but succumbed to his injuries immediately after being retrieved by emergency responders. The remaining passengers were rescued by helpful bystanders and emergency responders who rushed to the scene as the boat overturned, creating a chaotic but ultimately successful rescue operation.
Two individuals remain unaccounted for following the incident. Ralph Boisa, whose extended family and close friends were aboard the vessel on Tuesday to honor the memory of his daughter who passed away more than ten years ago, confirmed that his sister Carol and Clifford’s wife Jackie are still missing. Tondra Madruga was a friend of the family and was on the boat to participate in the memorial ceremony when the disaster struck.
Community Response and Ongoing Investigation
The community has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and the ongoing search for missing passengers. Quin Madruga shared a heartfelt message on Facebook regarding Tondra’s passing:
Our family is heartbroken by the loss of our beloved mother, daughter, sister, and aunt, Tondra Madruga. Our hearts remain with every family impacted, and we sincerely appreciate your kindness and understanding.
The US Coast Guard officially suspended formal search operations on Wednesday evening, though police continue their efforts to locate the two remaining missing passengers. The body of Tondra Madruga was discovered near Treasure Island, a historic former naval station in San Francisco Bay, after a local boater first reported seeing something in the water. Investigators believe that San Francisco police find wreckage of the Volare will help them piece together the final moments of the tragic day and determine what caused the vessel to capsize so suddenly.
