San Francisco Bay Sinking
Boat Sinks During Memorial Service in San Francisco Bay, Three People Missing
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A boat carrying 20 family members and friends capsized on San Francisco Bay near Alcatraz Island during a memorial service to scatter a loved one's ashes, according to WFMZ. The outing meant to honor the dead quickly became a second tragedy for the grieving family.
Rescuers pulled at least one person from the water, but three others remain missing, according to The Facts. The U.S. Coast Guard launched a search-and-rescue operation and was still looking for survivors.
Boat Sinks Near Alcatraz During Ash-Scattering Ceremony
The group had gathered on the bay to spread the ashes of a loved one, a tradition meant to bring peace and closure. Instead, their boat went down in the cold, choppy waters near Alcatraz Island, one of the bay's most recognizable landmarks. The waters around Alcatraz are known for strong currents and low temperatures, making survival difficult, according to Bakersfield.com.
All 20 people on board were part of the same family group. The capsizing scattered them across the water. At least one person was pulled to safety, but three others could not be found after the boat went down, according to KDH News.
Coast Guard Launches Search for Three Missing People
The U.S. Coast Guard responded quickly and began a search of the bay. Crews were still actively looking for the three missing individuals as of the latest reports. The search covered the waters near Alcatraz, where the boat went down, according to Weatherford Democrat.
San Francisco Bay presents serious dangers for anyone in the water. Water temperatures typically hover around 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Exposure to water that cold can cause a person to lose strength and consciousness within minutes.
Second Grief for a Family Already Mourning
The family had come together to grieve and remember someone they had already lost. The ceremony was meant to be a final farewell. Instead, they faced a new emergency in the middle of the bay, according to Voice of Alexandria.
Ash-scattering ceremonies at sea are common in the Bay Area. Families typically charter small boats for the service. It is not yet clear what caused this boat to capsize or whether the vessel was properly equipped for the number of people on board, according to Dayton Daily News.
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