Police found the wreckage of a capsized cabin cruiser in San Francisco Bay on Friday, one day after recovering the body of a woman who went missing when the vessel sank mid-week.
The victim was identified as Tondra Madruga, 58, also known as Tondra Miller. She was among three people still unaccounted for after the Volare, a 49-foot cabin cruiser, capsized Wednesday afternoon in rough waters. The boat was carrying 20 people who had gathered for a memorial service to scatter the ashes of a deceased loved one.
San Francisco's marine unit located the submerged wreckage on the rocky seabed approximately 120 feet below the surface. Officers have been using boat-mounted sonar to pinpoint the vessel and are now deploying a remotely operated vehicle to examine the wreck and determine whether it can be recovered safely.
Madruga's body was discovered by the marine unit near Treasure Island, a former naval station, after a boater spotted it in the water. Her family released a statement expressing their grief. "Our family is heartbroken by the loss of our beloved mother, daughter, sister, and aunt, Tondra Madruga," said family member Quin Madruga. "Our hearts remain with every family impacted, and we sincerely appreciate your kindness and understanding."
One other person, Clifford Boisa, died immediately after being pulled from the water. The U.S. Coast Guard called off its search Wednesday evening, but local police have continued efforts to locate the two remaining missing people: Carol Boisa, sister of Ralph Boisa, and Jackie Boisa, wife of Clifford Boisa.
Ralph Boisa organized the gathering aboard the Volare as a tribute to his daughter, who died more than a decade ago. Madruga was a close family friend. The group was caught off guard when a wave hit the boat, causing it to capsize in the treacherous waters of the bay.
Sixteen people were rescued by nearby boaters and first responders after the vessel went down. The bay's notorious strong currents forced rescuers to expand their search far beyond the immediate area, with crews later scouring waters stretching into the Pacific Ocean beyond the Golden Gate Bridge. In total, the Coast Guard searched more than 800 square miles, an expanse roughly equivalent to half the size of Rhode Island.
Author James Rodriguez: "The search for two missing people continues in one of the nation's most dangerous maritime zones, where calm seas can turn deadly in moments."
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