1 Killed, 2 Missing, 16 Rescued After Pontoon Capsizes Near Alcatraz: Officials

SAN FRANCISCO — One person was killed, two were missing and 16 were rescued after a pontoon boat capsized Tuesday afternoon off Alcatraz Island, according to authorities.

The San Francisco Fire Department received a report of the incident around 3:35 p.m. about 600 yards from the island, Chief Dean Crispen said at a news conference published in full by KTVU.

Police arrived to find a capsized recreational three-deck pontoon boat, according to Crispen. One person was severely injured and died, 13 safely made it to shore and three were taken to California Pacific Medical Center, he said. A dog that was on board also died, according to Crispen.

The search for the remaining two missing people included 11 vessels as well as divers and helicopters, he said, adding white caps on that water made the rescue environment challenging and describing the area as “a very active scene.”

“This is an all-hands-on-deck search and, hopefully, rescue,” Mayor Daniel Lurie said at the news conference.

A family reunification center was established at Fort Mason, according to Crispen.

The boat had no evidence of a fire despite an initial report of a blaze, Crispen said, adding the vessel had launched from somewhere near the St. Francis Yacht Club.