On the afternoon of Tuesday, July 14th, a tragic boating accident occurred in San Francisco Bay, United States. A three-story yacht carrying 19 people capsized near Alcatraz Island, also known as Devil’s Island, resulting in the death of one person, 2 individuals missing, while 13 others managed to safely reach the shore and 3 were taken to a local hospital for treatment.
The incident took place at around 3:30 PM local time, approximately 550 meters off the western side of Devil’s Island. Video footage from a local Fox TV station showed a firefighting vessel rushing to rescue the passengers on the sunken yacht, with most of the vessel submerged in the water, and debris floating nearby.
Live scenes depicted rescued passengers wrapped in blankets sitting by the roadside and then being escorted to nearby ambulances. Additionally, a yellow waterproof tarp covered a body on the pier.
Dean Crispen, the Chief of the San Francisco Fire Department, stated during a press conference that rescue personnel were initially alerted to a possible fire on the boat, but upon arrival at the scene, no signs of fire were evident. The engines were running and there was a fuel leak, yet the cause of the accident remains unclear.
Crispen further mentioned that a police rescue boat was the first to arrive, where rescuers found a critically injured passenger. Despite immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation efforts, the passenger succumbed to their injuries. Out of the 19 passengers, 13 safely reached the shore, 3 were hospitalized due to injuries sustained while jumping ship, 1 died, and the whereabouts of the remaining 2 individuals are still unknown as the search and rescue operation continues.
It is suggested that the yacht may have departed from the St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco. Eleven search and rescue vessels, helicopters, and divers have been deployed to conduct extensive search efforts to locate the two missing persons.
Due to strong winds and rough seas on the day of the accident, coupled with the continuous eastward tidal flow, the search team is expanding its search area directionally with the ocean current.
San Francisco Mayor, Daniel Lurie, also visited the scene and emphasized that this is an all-hands-on-deck search operation, aiming to successfully rescue the missing individuals. Authorities have set up a family liaison center at Fort Mason on the west side of Fisherman’s Wharf to assist the families of the victims and missing persons in staying updated on the latest developments.
Alcatraz Island is a small island located 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) from downtown San Francisco, covering an area of 0.0763 square kilometers. Surrounded by steep cliffs and deep water with difficult accessibility, the island became a military fortress in 1868. The federal prison on the island operated from 1934 to 1963, housing many notorious criminals. Due to treacherous currents and cold waters surrounding Devil’s Island, it was once considered an “inescapable” natural barrier.
Today, Alcatraz Island has been designated as a national historic landmark and is a well-known tourist attraction in San Francisco, managed by the National Park Service (NPS). It attracts millions of visitors annually, with many choosing to explore the surrounding waters by sailing on sailboats and yachts.