A Folsom, California family mourning a prior death at sea is now grappling with a second, devastating boat tragedy on San Francisco Bay. The wreckage of the Volare, a vessel that sank near Alcatraz Island, was located on July 18, 2026, confirming the loss of multiple lives and reopening unhealed wounds.
The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed the wreckage was found at a depth of 180 feet, approximately 500 yards from Alcatraz. The Volare, a 40-foot cabin cruiser, went down on July 15 with seven people aboard. Two survivors were rescued; five bodies have been recovered. The cause remains under investigation.
The first tragedy struck in March 2025. Sarah Jenkins, 34, of Folsom, died when a chartered fishing boat capsized near the Golden Gate Bridge. Her family had just begun to process the loss. Then, the Volare sank.
“We were still mourning Sarah,” said her brother, Mark Jenkins, 41. “Now we are mourning again. It feels like the bay is taking everything.” The Jenkins family had no connection to the Volare victims. The emotional toll is compounded by the sheer repetition of loss.
Loved ones of the Volare victims are also demanding answers. “This is not an accident. This is a pattern,” said Maria Torres, 52, whose son, Carlos, was a crew member. “How many boats have to sink?”
Data from the Coast Guard shows San Francisco Bay has seen 14 recreational boat sinkings in the past three years, with a total of 23 fatalities. Common factors include sudden fog, strong currents, and overcrowding.
The wreckage of the Volare is being examined by marine forensics teams. Divers have retrieved the vessel’s engine and navigation system for analysis. Initial reports suggest the boat may have been overloaded.
For the Jenkins family, the pain is raw. Sarah Jenkins was remembered as a dedicated nurse and a mother of two. A memorial fund has raised over $40,000 for her children. The Volare victims include a retired teacher, a software engineer, and a college student.
Community vigils are being planned in both Folsom and San Francisco. The families are calling for stricter vessel inspections and mandatory safety briefings for all bay charters. “We cannot let this happen again,” Mark Jenkins said. “This is not just grief. This is a crisis.”
| Tragedy | Date | Victim | Location | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fishing boat capsize | March 2025 | Sarah Jenkins, 34 | Near Golden Gate Bridge | Fatality |
| Volare sinking | July 15, 2026 | 5 confirmed dead | Near Alcatraz Island | Bodies recovered; investigation ongoing |
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What happened to the Volare boat on San Francisco Bay?
- A: The Volare, a 40-foot cabin cruiser, sank near Alcatraz Island on July 15, 2026, with seven people aboard. Two survivors were rescued, and five bodies have been recovered. The wreckage was found at a depth of 180 feet on July 18.
- Q: How does this tragedy connect to a previous death at sea?
- A: The Jenkins family of Folsom, California, is grieving both a prior death in March 2025, when Sarah Jenkins died in a chartered fishing boat capsizing near the Golden Gate Bridge, and now the Volare sinking—though the family had no direct connection to the Volare victims.
- Q: How many boat sinkings have occurred on San Francisco Bay recently?
- A: According to Coast Guard data, San Francisco Bay has experienced 14 recreational boat sinkings in the past three years, resulting in a total of 23 fatalities.
Extended Reading
The U.S. Coast Guard’s 2025 Boating Safety Report documents a 12% increase in fatalities on California waterways, with operator inexperience and equipment failure cited as primary causes. The National Transportation Safety Board has opened a formal inquiry into the Volare sinking.