Rescue teams are searching for three missing individuals after a boat sank in the cold, swift waters of San Francisco Bay near Alcatraz Island. Authorities reported one person was recovered from the water but later died, while 16 others were rescued after the vessel capsized Tuesday afternoon. Witnesses described the conditions as “rough seas,” according to San Francisco Fire Chief Dean Crispen.

Crispen stated during a press conference that the boat began taking on water and overturned in the bay. Rescuers arrived to find the boat’s engine running and leaking fuel. Footage from the incident showed rescue boats surrounding the mostly submerged vessel with debris floating nearby. A dog onboard was also lost.

Fire department spokesman Lieutenant Mariano Elias described the boat as a 50-foot recreational vessel with a cabin and upper deck, named Volare, registered in Stockton, California. Search teams are using thermal imaging, tide predictions, and models to guide their efforts. By Tuesday night, authorities were searching open waters west of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Initial reports mentioned what appeared to be smoke from the boat, but first responders identified it as steam. According to VesselFinder, a tracking website, the boat set sail from or near St. Francis Yacht Club, passed under the Golden Gate Bridge twice, and visited Angel Island, a state park in the bay, before its apparent return trip. An individual answering the phone at the yacht club stated they had no information.

Alcatraz Island, once a federal prison famous for its near inescapability due to freezing waters and strong currents, is approximately one mile from San Francisco and now a tourist destination. Elias stated the boat was about 600 yards from Alcatraz when the emergency call was received shortly after 3:30 p.m.