1 Dead, 4 Missing After Boat Capsized Off California Coast

Mar. 15, 2025

The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended a search for four missing people after a boat capsized near California’s Bodega Bay over the weekend and left one person dead.

On Saturday, Nov. 2, around 11:40 p.m. local time, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office notified the Coast Guard Sector San Francisco of six “overdue” boaters who left from Westside Marina at 3 p.m. that day and were scheduled to return four hours later on the “21-foot blue and white vessel,” per a release from theCoast Guard.

The following morning, two boaters were located — one of whom was “found alive and receiving medical treatment,” while another was pronounced dead at the scene, per theSonoma County Sheriff’s Office.

Drones, a search-and-rescue team, Coast Guard boats, helicopters and more were then sent to locate the boat, before “debris was found along the coast.” As of Sunday, Nov. 3, the Coast Guard revealed that it had suspended its search near Bodega Bay around 6 p.m., “pending the development of new information.”

The search itself required 57 combined hours and spanned 2,100 square miles.

The Press Democrat, citing U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Levi Read, reported that the boat’s passengers consisted of five family members from Corning in Tehama County, as well as a sixth person who was a family friend. Everyone on board wore a life vest and six vests were found during the search, per the outlet.

Noncommercial Dungeness crab season kicked off on Saturday, perThe Press Democrat.

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The outlet also reports that water temperature in the area was around 54 degrees, and that a beach hazards alert went into effect at 3 p.m. Sunday warning of an increased chance of rip currents.

“The decision to suspend a search is always difficult to make and never done lightly” U.S. Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer Michael L. Zapawa, search and rescue coordinator, said in a news release. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the missing boaters during this incredibly difficult time."

According to the Coast Guard, those who assisted with the search and rescue included Coast Guard Station Bodega Bay, Coast Guard Cutter Tern, Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco, Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento, Coast Guard Air Station Humboldt Bay, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, Air Force 129th Rescue Wing and Civil Air Patrol.

The Coast Guard is now encouraging “all mariners, experienced or not,” to research weather conditions before boating, as well as “file a float plan and carry a working VHF radio to call for assistance.”

They also ask for those with further information on the missing boaters to contact Coast Guard Sector San Francisco.

source: people.com