San Francisco police find wreckage of boat that sank as body identified | San Francisco
Police on Friday discovered the wreckage of a boat that sank in San Francisco Bay this week, after finding the body of a missing person the day before.
The San Francisco medical examiner said the body was identified as 58-year-old Tondra Madruga, also known as Tondra Miller. He was one of three people missing after the 15-metre (49ft) cabin cruiser Volare sank with 20 people on board on Wednesday afternoon after hitting a wave and capsizing. The group was on the boat to scatter the ashes of a loved one.
The San Francisco police department’s marine unit located the submerged wreckage of the Volare near where it sank.
The boat was thought to have sunk in water 120 ft (36 m) deep on the rocky sea bed. Police said the maritime unit used boat-mounted sonar to locate the ship and is now using a remote-controlled vehicle to assess the wreckage and determine whether it can be salvaged safely.
Madruga’s body was recovered by the marine unit.
“Our family is saddened by the loss of our beloved mother, daughter, sister and aunt, Tondra Madruga,” family member Quin Madruga said on Facebook. “Our hearts go out to every family affected and we sincerely thank you for your kindness and understanding.”
A man named Clifford Boisa died immediately after being pulled from the frigid water. The U.S. Coast Guard suspended the search Wednesday evening, but police are still searching for two missing men. The rest were rescued by good Samaritans and first responders when the boat capsized.
Ralph Boisa said his extended family and close friends were on the boat Tuesday to celebrate the life of his daughter, who died a decade ago. Madruga was a friend.
He said the two people missing were Ralph Boisa’s sister, Carol, and Clifford Boisa’s wife, Jackie.
Madruga’s body was found in San Francisco Bay near Treasure Island, a former marine station, after a boater first reported it, police said.
The bay is known for its strong currents, and within hours of the boat sinking, rescuers also began searching the open ocean beyond the Golden Gate Bridge.
Crews searched more than 800 square miles (more than 2,000 square kilometers), according to the Coast Guard. This is an area roughly half the size of Rhode Island.
