The devastating loss of life in the San Francisco Bay tragedy has taken a tragic turn as authorities confirm that a second body has been recovered from the wreck of the cabin cruiser Volare. The 49ft (15m) vessel, which capsized on Wednesday afternoon with 20 people onboard, was participating in a poignant ceremony to scatter ashes when disaster struck.
The second victim has been identified by the San Francisco medical examiner as Tondra Madruga, 58, also known as Tondra Miller. Her family's grief is palpable, with Quin Madruga expressing their profound sadness on social media, stating "Our family is heartbroken by the loss of our beloved mother, daughter, sister, and aunt, Tondra Madruga." This tragic turn of events brings the confirmed death toll to two, after Clifford Boisa died immediately after being rescued from the cold water following the incident.
The San Francisco Police Department's marine unit has successfully located the submerged Volare in the vicinity where it sank. The vessel is believed to be resting on a rocky seabed at a depth of 36 metres (120 ft). Initially, the police used boat-mounted sonar to pinpoint the vessel's location and are now deploying a remotely operated vehicle to assess the wreckage and determine if a safe recovery operation is feasible.
Despite the US Coast Guard suspending its broader search efforts on Wednesday evening, the San Francisco Police Department continues to look for two individuals who remain missing. Ralph Boisa, a family member of several people on board, has confirmed that his sister, Carol, and Clifford Boisa's wife, Jackie, are still unaccounted for. The remaining 16 people on board were rescued by a combination of good Samaritans and first responders in the immediate aftermath of the capsizing.
The San Francisco Bay is notorious for its strong currents, which complicated initial search efforts. Madruga's body was discovered near Treasure Island, a former naval station, after being spotted by a boater. Search crews had covered an extensive area of over 2,000 square kilometres (800 sq miles), stretching beyond the Golden Gate Bridge into the open ocean, in the hours following the boat's sinking.