One Fatality and Two Missing After Pontoon Boat Capsizes Near Alcatraz in San Francisco Bay

Out of the 19 passengers, thirteen reached shore safely while three required hospital treatment, two remain unaccounted for, and one person lost their life.

A US Coast Guard boat searches for two missing individuals after a pontoon boat capsized on July 14, 2026 in San Francisco, California.

(photo credit: Heather Diehl/Getty Images)

ByREUTERS

JULY 15, 2026 07:31

Updated: JULY 15, 2026 07:35

One individual lost their life and two others are unaccounted for after a triple-deck pontoon boat carrying 19 passengers overturned close to Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay, authorities confirmed on Tuesday.

Eleven vessels kept up the effort to locate the two missing passengers, San Francisco Fire Chief Dean Crispen stated during a press conference.

Local television footage captured the vessel nearly fully submerged, with only its upper section visible above the water before it disappeared entirely beneath the surface.

The US Coast Guard confirmed its participation alongside other agencies in the ongoing search-and-rescue operation.

The reason for the incident is still unclear, Crispen informed reporters at the location. He also noted that initial accounts of a fire on board were incorrect.

Eleven vessels continue to search for the two missing passengers

A police boat arrived first at the scene, where responders discovered a critically injured passenger, Crispen explained. Despite efforts at cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the individual did not survive, he added.

Of the 19 people aboard, thirteen were brought safely back to shore, three were transported to medical facilities, one died, and two are still missing, he reported.

"We are still conducting an active search of the area," Crispen said. "We have 11 vessels on the water conducting that search. We are going to continue for hours to make sure that we find these two missing people, if possible."

Although the weather was pleasant and sunny, strong eastbound currents created white caps on the water, as shown in local news footage.

Alcatraz continues to draw tourists as a small rocky island in the bay that housed a federal prison from 1934 to 1963. It gained a reputation as escape-proof due to powerful currents and chilly waters. The site now serves as a National Historic Landmark under National Park Service management.