A 35-year-old Apple software engineer died after a fishing boat struck rocks and capsized under the Golden Gate Bridge early Thursday morning, according to the Marin County Sheriff’s Office.
The sole fatality in the incident has been identified as Daniel Zhengyu Qin, a resident of San Jose who leaves behind a wife and three children. The accident occurred shortly after 6 a.m. on Sept. 17, when the 25-foot vessel hit rocks near Lime Point, adjacent to the bridge’s north tower. All three people aboard were injured, with Qin pronounced dead at a local hospital despite prolonged resuscitative efforts.
Marin County authorities confirmed Qin as the victim in an update issued on Sept. 21. The identities of the two survivors have not been released, and their conditions remain undisclosed. Multiple agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, Southern Marin Fire Protection District, and San Francisco Police Department Marine Unit, responded to the distress call.
A GoFundMe campaign organized by family friend Cathy Wu on behalf of Qin’s wife, Deng Yao, describes him as a devoted husband and loving father to an 11-year-old son and two daughters aged 9 and 3. The fundraiser aims to raise $200,000 to support the family. Wu’s description highlights Qin’s generosity, noting he frequently shared fish from his trips and assisted friends in need.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation as of Sept. 21. Marin County officials have not released further details about the vessel’s condition or the circumstances leading to the collision.
Background on Recent Bay Area Boating Incidents
The accident follows another high-profile boating incident in the Bay Area. On July 14, a 49-foot cabin cruiser carrying 20 people sank near Alcatraz Island, according to a post by the San Francisco Fire Department on X (formerly Twitter). No fatalities were reported in that incident, though the cause was also not immediately disclosed.
Rescue and Response Details
Emergency responders from multiple agencies arrived at the scene after a 911 call reported a boat in distress. The Marin County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit Rescue-1, Sausalito Fire Department, and San Francisco Police Department Marine Unit were among the first responders. The vessel was later towed to shore for further examination.
Authorities have not indicated whether weather conditions or mechanical failure contributed to the crash. The investigation remains ongoing.