A pontoon boat capsized near Alcatraz on Tuesday afternoon, leaving one person dead, 13 survivors on shore and three people unaccounted for, authorities said. San Francisco Fire Chief Dean Crispin identified the vessel as a three-deck pontoon boat and said passenger counts were updated as the response unfolded.
Pontoon boat capsized near Alcatraz
The San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD) first responded after a 3:35 p.m. call reporting a possible vessel fire, but crews found a capsized pontoon about 600 yards from Alcatraz Island, Chief Dean Crispin said. Early in the response Crispin said 19 people were believed to be aboard; that figure was later revised to 20 as crews continued accounting.
One person pulled from the water received CPR on scene and was later pronounced dead, Crispin said. Thirteen people reached shore and were not transported, three were taken to a hospital for treatment, and three remained missing as of the latest briefings.
Search and rescue response
The U.S. Coast Guard and the SFFD led a multi-agency response that included the San Francisco Police Department marine unit, 11 vessels, divers and helicopters searching the waters around Alcatraz and the San Francisco shoreline.
Fire Lt. Mariano Elias told Fox News Digital that search operations were planned to continue overnight and into Wednesday morning as crews methodically canvassed the water and shoreline. “It’s a very active scene,” Chief Crispin said during an on-scene briefing.
The SFPD marine unit located the mostly submerged vessel. Responders reported the vessel’s engine was still running and that fuel was leaking into the water; containment and mitigation efforts were underway as teams secured the immediate area.
Victims and survivors
Crispin said rescuers found some occupants inside the top compartment of the three-deck pontoon and that teams worked to extract people who were trapped or stranded when the boat overturned.
Thirteen people made it to shore without hospital transport. Three others were taken to hospitals for evaluation and care. The person who died had been removed from the water and given CPR by responders before being pronounced dead, the fire chief said.
Authorities have not released the identities of those involved pending family notifications and hospital confirmations. Officials emphasized that passenger and casualty counts were provisional and could change as investigators and responders finished their accounting.
What is unclear and next steps
Investigators have not confirmed the cause of the capsize. Initial reports that a fire prompted the response were qualified by Crispin, who said crews found no evidence of a fire at the scene. Officials are examining mechanical issues, weather and other possible factors.
The presence of leaking fuel added a hazardous-material component; crews from multiple agencies worked on containment while search and rescue operations continued. Agencies said the scene will remain secured for investigation once search efforts conclude.
What comes next
Officials said search operations will continue through the night and into Wednesday morning as teams complete a full accounting of passengers and examine the vessel. Investigators will review witness statements, the vessel’s condition and any environmental or mechanical evidence recovered at the scene.
By the numbers
- Vessel type: Three-deck pontoon boat
- Approximate distance from Alcatraz: 600 yards
- Agencies on scene: U.S. Coast Guard, San Francisco Fire Department, SFPD marine unit
- Search resources reported: 11 vessels, divers and helicopters
- Latest reported counts (provisional): 20 aboard; 1 dead; 13 to shore; 3 hospitalized; 3 missing
Editors’ note: initial briefings reported 19 aboard; that number was revised to 20 during the response. All figures above are provisional and subject to change as authorities confirm passenger lists and complete recovery and investigative work.
Source attribution
This report is based on briefings and reporting from Fox News and The Associated Press and direct statements from San Francisco Fire Chief Dean Crispin and Fire Lt. Mariano Elias. Agencies involved include the San Francisco Fire Department, the U.S. Coast Guard and the San Francisco Police Department marine unit.
Direct quote: “It’s a very active scene,” San Francisco Fire Chief Dean Crispin said during an on-scene briefing.
Updated 10:20 p.m. Tuesday: Officials said the latest confirmed totals are 20 people believed aboard, with 1 confirmed dead, 13 accounted for on shore, 3 transported to hospitals and 3 still listed as missing. These counts are provisional and may change as authorities confirm passenger lists and complete search and recovery operations. Updates were provided by SFFD and agency briefings referenced by Fox News and The Associated Press.
