Second Body Recovered After San Francisco Boat Tragedy, Two Still Missing

Authorities have recovered the body of a second victim following the tragic sinking of a cabin cruiser in San Francisco Bay, while the search continues for two people who remain missing after the vessel capsized during a family memorial gathering.

The victim was identified by the San Francisco Office of the Chief Medical Examiner as Tondra Madruga, 58, also known as Tondra Miller. Her body was discovered on Thursday near Treasure Island by officers from the San Francisco Police Department’s marine unit, two days after the 49-foot cabin cruiser Volare sank in rough waters near Alcatraz Island.

The Volare was carrying 20 people on Tuesday as family members and close friends gathered to scatter the ashes of a loved one who had died more than a decade ago. According to relatives, the outing was meant to celebrate her life before the vessel encountered rough conditions in San Francisco Bay.

The first confirmed fatality was 79-year-old Clifford Boisa, who died shortly after being pulled from the frigid waters despite emergency lifesaving efforts. Sixteen other passengers were rescued by first responders and nearby civilian boaters, while three survivors required hospital treatment.

Two people remain missing: Jackie Boisa, Clifford Boisa’s wife, and Carol Boisa, the sister of family member Ralph Boisa. Their relatives continue to hope that recovery efforts will bring closure after the devastating accident.

In a statement shared on social media, Madruga’s family said they were “heartbroken by the loss of our beloved mother, daughter, sister, and aunt” and thanked the U.S. Coast Guard, San Francisco Police Department, San Francisco Fire Department, first responders and members of the public who assisted in the search and rescue operation.

The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its active search on Wednesday after covering more than 800 square miles of San Francisco Bay and surrounding waters, citing the extremely low likelihood of finding survivors. However, San Francisco police have continued recovery operations using sonar equipment and marine patrols.

Authorities believe the Volare is resting about 120 feet (37 metres) below the surface on a rocky section of the bay floor. Strong tidal currents, poor underwater visibility and the depth of the wreck have made recovery operations particularly challenging. Officials are expected to assess the wreck once it is precisely located to determine whether it can be safely raised.

Investigators have not yet determined the exact cause of the sinking. Early accounts suggest the vessel may have been struck by a powerful wave or taken on water before capsizing in one of the bay’s most challenging navigation areas between Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge. The incident remains under investigation by federal and local authorities.

The tragedy has deeply affected the victims’ families and the wider San Francisco community, transforming what was intended to be a solemn memorial into a heartbreaking disaster. As recovery efforts continue, authorities have urged boaters to exercise extreme caution when navigating the often unpredictable waters of San Francisco Bay.