Authorities have located the wreckage of a boat that sank in San Francisco Bay earlier this week, while the search continues for two people who remain missing following the deadly accident.
The San Francisco Police Department’s Marine Unit confirmed Friday that it found the submerged remains of the Volare, a 49-foot cabin cruiser that capsized Wednesday afternoon after being struck by a large wave. The vessel was carrying 20 people who had gathered to scatter the ashes of a loved one.
Officials also identified a body recovered Thursday as Tondra Madruga, 58, who was also known as Tondra Miller. She was one of three passengers initially reported missing after the boat went down.
Police said the Volare rests on a rocky section of the bay floor about 120 feet (36 meters) below the surface. Investigators used sonar equipment to locate the vessel and are now deploying a remotely operated underwater vehicle to inspect the wreckage and determine whether it can be safely recovered.
Following confirmation of Madruga’s death, her family shared a statement expressing their grief.
“Our family is heartbroken by the loss of our beloved mother, daughter, sister, and aunt, Tondra Madruga,” family member Quin Madruga wrote on Facebook. “Our hearts remain with every family affected, and we truly appreciate the support and compassion shown during this difficult time.”
Another passenger, Clifford Boisa, died shortly after being pulled from the cold waters on Wednesday. Although the U.S. Coast Guard ended its search operation later that day, local police continue searching for the two remaining missing passengers.
The other 17 people aboard were rescued by first responders and nearby boaters who rushed to help after the vessel overturned.
According to Ralph Boisa, many of those on board were relatives and close friends gathered to honor the memory of his daughter, who passed away more than a decade ago. Madruga was among the family’s longtime friends.
The two individuals still missing are Ralph Boisa’s sister, Carol Boisa, and Clifford Boisa’s wife, Jackie Boisa, he said.
Madruga’s body was found near Treasure Island, a former naval base in San Francisco Bay, after another boater reported the discovery to authorities.
The search has been especially difficult because of the bay’s powerful currents. Within hours of the accident, rescue teams expanded operations beyond the Golden Gate Bridge into the Pacific Ocean.
According to the Coast Guard, search crews covered more than 800 square miles (over 2,000 square kilometers) of water—an area roughly half the size of Rhode Island—before suspending their efforts.