SAN FRANCISCO, California — A family memorial service on the waters of the San Francisco Bay ended in tragedy after a cabin cruiser carrying relatives and friends capsized, leaving one person dead and three others missing. The heartbreaking incident occurred on July 14 as loved ones gathered to honor the memory of a family member whose ashes were being scattered in the bay.
The U.S. Coast Guard has since suspended its search for the missing passengers, while grieving family members continue to mourn the devastating loss.
Memorial Gathering Turns Into Tragedy
According to officials, the three-deck, 50-foot cabin cruiser was carrying 20 people when it capsized between the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island at approximately 3:35 p.m. local time.
San Francisco Fire Lieutenant Mariano Elias said emergency crews responded quickly after receiving reports of the sinking. Several passengers were rescued from the water, but not everyone made it to safety.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner later identified the victim as 79-year-old Clifford Joseph Boisa. His wife, Jackie Boisa, his sister Carol Boisa, and a family friend remain missing.
Family Says Trip Was Meant to Honor Loved One
Clifford’s brother, Ralph Boisa, said the gathering was intended to scatter the ashes of his daughter, who passed away in 2016.
“This was a terrible, terrible accident, and it’s just a horrible thing to have to reckon with at this point,” Ralph Boisa told KRON-TV.
Ralph said he was unable to attend the memorial but learned about the tragedy through his oldest daughter, who was aboard the vessel with her husband and three sons.
“My oldest daughter… called me and was pretty distraught,” he said. “She and her husband and three sons managed to get off the boat safely.”
Brother Remembered as Community-Minded
Ralph described Clifford as a warm and outgoing person who was deeply involved in his community. He said his brother had been looking forward to celebrating his 80th birthday in September, making the loss even more painful for the family.
Speaking about the three people still missing, Ralph acknowledged the difficult reality facing his family.
“There’s always hope, but I know it’s pretty cold, and in my mind it’s very unlikely that they’re going to find them alive,” he said.
His comments reflected the growing heartbreak as search efforts came to an end.
Coast Guard Suspends Search
The U.S. Coast Guard officially suspended its search for the three missing passengers on July 15, after crews spent hours searching the waters of San Francisco Bay.
Captain Jared S. Toczko expressed condolences to the victims’ families in a statement following the decision.
“Suspending a search is one of the hardest parts of our job, and our condolences are with the families of all involved,” Toczko said.
Authorities have not yet released additional details about what caused the boat to capsize, and the incident remains under investigation.
As family members grieve the loss of Clifford Joseph Boisa and continue hoping for answers, the tragedy has become a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly a day of remembrance can turn into an unimaginable loss.
What are your thoughts on this heartbreaking tragedy? Should additional safety measures be required for private memorial gatherings on the water? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.
