1 dead, 3 missing after boat carrying mostly family members sinks near Alcatraz Island

One person died and three others are missing after a pontoon boat carrying mostly family members sank Tuesday afternoon near Alcatraz Island. Sixteen people were rescued from the frigid waters off San Francisco, with some sustaining injuries.

Emergency crews arriving at the scene found the three-deck pontoon vessel almost fully submerged, with its motor still running and leaking fuel, according to San Francisco Fire Chief Dean Crispen. By Tuesday evening, a search operation was underway for the missing individuals on the western side of the Golden Gate Bridge. The search, involving divers, helicopters, and vessels, was expected to continue through the night.

Authorities revised the initial number of missing persons from two to three after gathering witness accounts. Crispen stated that three individuals who were injured falling from the boat were transported to a hospital and were expected to be released Tuesday night. A dog onboard also perished in the incident.

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Right now we are in full rescue mode

Witnesses reported seeing a man on a smaller vessel flag down the Bass-Tub, a boat carrying guests toward the Golden Gate Bridge. The man pointed to a pontoon boat in the bay that appeared to be on fire. By the time the Bass-Tub reached the sinking vessel, the flames had extinguished, but the pontoon was rapidly going down. Some passengers were already in the water, while others remained aboard. The Bass-Tub crew attempted to distribute life jackets to the passengers.

Fire Lt. Mariano Elias confirmed the vessel, described as a "pontoon pleasure boat," was approximately 600 yards from Alcatraz Island. The emergency call was received shortly after 3:30 p.m. The boat is believed to have launched near the St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco. The person who died was rescued alive but later succumbed to their injuries.

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It was scary. I don't want to see anybody in that situation.