San Francisco Bay became the scene of another maritime mishap yesterday morning when a sailboat carrying a rowing team capsized, prompting a swift water rescue operation. The Brisbane Police Department, in a social media post, detailed that they received a distress call around 8:44 a.m. after the boat overturned north of Brisbane Marina, where currents and waves can catch even the experienced off guard.
All 18 individuals went into the bay's embrace but were promptly attended by responders from multiple agencies. The Brisbane Police Department coordinated with Oyster Point Harbor Patrol and the South San Francisco Fire Department to pull 15 individuals out of the water, and the remaining three were saved by the Brisbane harbormaster, Officer Miller, and Sgt. Perez. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that despite the fear and cold, no injuries were reported, and all involved in the incident were evaluated by on-scene medical personnel.
This close shave follows a series of similar incidents in the Bay Area in November, some with graver outcomes. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that earlier in the month, there were multiple capsize incidents near Bodega Bay, unfortunately resulting in the loss of lives and an ongoing search for the missing. Crews regularly confront the bay's treacherous moods, making rescues too common of a news item. On a lighter note, two individuals without the aid of life jackets or swimming skills were saved from Lake Merced after their boat succumbed to the waters.
Authorities have not publicly speculated on the cause of this latest boat capsize.
