Pontoon Boat Sinks Near Alcatraz, Killing 1 as Crews Search for 3 Missing

Q: Why was a pontoon boat used for a memorial in the notoriously rough waters surrounding Alcatraz Island?

It appears the pontoon boat was used simply because the family had chartered that vessel for a memorial service, not because officials had deemed it especially suited to the waters off Alcatraz. San Francisco Fire Chief Dean Crispen said authorities understood the group was holding “some kind of memorial service” and that this was why they were on that particular boat. A pontoon can make sense for a memorial in ordinary bay conditions because it offers a wide, open deck, room for a large family group, and a relatively stable platform in sheltered water. Those features make it practical for ceremonies such as ash scatterings or family gatherings, especially for passengers who are not experienced boaters. But that does not mean it was an ideal choice for the specific conditions near Alcatraz at the time. The waters there can be cold, windy and choppy, with strong currents, and marine experts note that pontoon boats are generally better suited to calmer, protected waters than to rougher, open-water conditions. Their high profile and flat design can make them more vulnerable in wind and chop than many traditional hulls. So the best available answer is that the boat was likely chosen for its space and comfort for a family memorial on San Francisco Bay, while whether it was appropriate for the actual conditions near Alcatraz is now part of the broader accident investigation.

3 articles · Updated · CNN · Jul 14

Sixteen people were rescued Tuesday after a three-deck pontoon boat sank about 600 yards from Alcatraz, leaving one person dead and three missing off San Francisco.
Rescuers found the vessel almost fully submerged with its motor still running and leaking fuel; the person who died had been pulled alive from the frigid water but later died.
Three injured passengers were taken to a hospital and were expected to be released, while divers, helicopters and boats searched through the night on the ocean side of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Witness accounts pushed the missing count up from two to three, and officials said an initial report of a fire was not supported by evidence.
The boat was carrying mostly family members for a memorial service in windy, choppy waters near Alcatraz, where strong currents and cold Pacific water can quickly turn dangerous.