Key Takeaways
- Carol Boisa, 74, of Sacramento County, was found dead near Point Diablo on July 25, 2026.
- She was a passenger on the Volare, which capsized near Alcatraz on July 14 during a family memorial service.
- Two other victims - Clifford Boisa (79) and Tondra Madruga (58) - were previously confirmed dead. Clifford's wife Jackie remains missing.
- The boat carried 20 people; 16 were rescued. A dog also died.
- She was the younger sister of Clifford Boisa, one of the other victims.
Discovery of the Third Victim
San Francisco police discovered a body floating west of the Golden Gate Bridge near Point Diablo on Saturday, July 25. The San Francisco Medical Examiner identified the remains as Carol Boisa, a 74-year-old resident of Sacramento County. Boisa was one of four passengers initially missing after the Volare capsized on July 14.
Boisa was identified on Monday, July 27, according to the San Francisco Medical Examiner's Office. She was the younger sister of Clifford Boisa, who also perished in the tragedy.
Ralph Boisa, a brother of Carol, Clifford, and the boat's captain, John Boisa, described his younger sister as a "happy, jovial person." "She always had something to smile or laugh about," said Ralph, who was not on the Volare when it sank. Carol, who was retired and divorced several years ago, had two adult children, a son and a daughter, Ralph said.
The Volare Disaster
The 50-foot cabin cruiser Volare was carrying 20 passengers on a trip to scatter the ashes of Maria Boisa, a nurse from Fremont who died by suicide 11 years earlier. Near Alcatraz Island, a large wave struck the boat, causing it to capsize and sink. Sixteen people were rescued by the Coast Guard and local authorities. Clifford Boisa, 79, died immediately. Tondra Madruga, 58, was found dead near Treasure Island on July 16. A dog also perished.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, officials believe the victims who died may have been trapped inside the cabin when the boat went under.
Clifford Boisa, 79, was rescued but later pronounced dead after receiving CPR from first responders at the scene.
Steam or smoke was reportedly visible in the early moments of the rescue effort. The wreckage of the Volare was found three days after the sinking. In addition, Tondra Madruga's body was discovered by a passing boat while the San Francisco Police Department was conducting a sonar scan.
San Francisco police's marine unit located the underwater wreckage of the Volare days after it sank, but it remains unclear whether authorities will be able to recover it. The cruiser was located in the vicinity of where it initially capsized, in one of the deepest parts of the San Francisco Bay in an area commonly used as a shipping channel. Divers would have only a few feet of visibility in the bay's cloudy waters, and would likely require an acoustic locator to help reach the wreckage.
One Person Still Missing
Clifford's wife, Jackie Boisa, remains missing. The search for her has been suspended after more than 24 hours of searching by the Coast Guard. The boat's wreck was located in a deep shipping channel, but recovery is considered difficult and costly due to poor visibility and depth.
Ralph Boisa expressed particular concern for Clifford and Jackie's adult daughter Mary Ann, who was also on the boat and lost both of her parents that day. "That morning she got up with her parents, drove to the Bay Area to get on John's boat, was having a good day, and a few hours later this happened," Ralph said. "She became an orphan that day."
Local California Context
The tragedy unfolded in the iconic San Francisco Bay, near Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. Victims hailed from Sacramento and Sutter counties, highlighting the regional impact. The Boisa family has deep roots in Northern California. The incident has drawn widespread attention to boating safety in the bay's often treacherous waters.
Background
The Boisa family was already grieving the loss of Maria Boisa when they set out on July 14. The memorial cruise was intended to honor her memory. The sudden capsizing turned a day of remembrance into a devastating tragedy. The cause of the sinking remains under investigation.
Conclusion
As authorities continue to investigate, the Boisa family mourns the loss of three members and holds hope for closure regarding Jackie Boisa. The community remembers the lives lost and the resilience of those rescued.