Stephanie Gollmer describes the tragic sinking of the Volare cabin cruiser and the loss of her mother, Carol Boisa, in San Francisco Bay.

Stephanie Gollmer, a Palo Alto nurse, survived the capsizing of the 49-foot cabin cruiser Volare near Alcatraz Island, though she believes her mother, Carol Boisa, perished in the disaster. The vessel was carrying 20 people who gathered to scatter the ashes of Maria Vi Boisa, a woman who died in 2015. The boat overturned unexpectedly during the memorial trip, sending passengers into the choppy waters. Gollmer recounted the frantic moments of the sinking, noting that the group was enjoying the scenery before the boat tilted sharply. She escaped by diving through a cabin window, while her mother disappeared beneath the surface. While search efforts continue, authorities have confirmed the deaths of Clifford Joseph Boisa and Tondra Madruga. Two others, including Jackie Boisa, remain missing. The San Francisco Police Department has located the wreckage, which sits approximately 120 to 130 feet deep. Gollmer is now seeking a new home for her mother’s elderly cat, Miss Tina, to honor Carol Boisa’s life of service.

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