At least one individual has tragically lost their life following the capsizing of a pontoon boat in the San Francisco Bay. The incident occurred between the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island on Tuesday afternoon, prompting a rescue operation by emergency services.
San Francisco Fire Chief Dean Crispen confirmed that a three-deck pontoon vessel carrying 19 individuals had overturned, with some passengers sustaining injuries from falling into the water. Despite initial reports of a fire, no evidence of such was found at the scene.
Among the rescued passengers, one person succumbed to their injuries after being pulled from the water. Two individuals remain missing, prompting ongoing search efforts utilizing divers, helicopters, and 11 vessels in a full-scale rescue operation.
All survivors were transported to Gashouse Cove Marina in San Francisco following the incident. The vessel, described as a “pontoon pleasure boat,” was located approximately 600 yards from Alcatraz, with the emergency call received shortly after 3:30 p.m.
The boat is believed to have launched near the St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco. Video footage from a local news station captured the Fire Department’s swift response to rescue stranded passengers from the partially submerged vessel.
The Coast Guard and Oakland police also assisted in the rescue efforts, emphasizing the collaborative response to the maritime incident.
