Missing sailor found dead on Angel Island

SAN FRANCISCO -- A sailor who went missing in San Francisco Bay on Monday was found dead on Angel Island Tuesday afternoon.

A fingerprint analysis has identified the man as Andrew Henry Ewing, 31, a Sacramento resident, according to Lt. Keith Boyd, assistant chief deputy coroner.

Rescue crews began searching for Ewing in the water near the Golden Gate Bridge early Monday morning after his 30-foot sailboat, the "Alma," emitted a radio beacon distress signal at 4:20 a.m.

U.S. Coast Guard and Southern Marin Fire Protection District crews found Ewing's sailboat partially submerged near the rocks in the Yellow Bluff area on Monday. The boat later sank and rescue crews continued searching by air and water for Ewing.

At 6:03 a.m. today, a Coast Guard helicopter crew spotted Ewing's body on the southwest portion of Angel Island, Boyd said.

Ewing had set sail from Alameda around 6:10 p.m. Sunday bound for the Philippines, Boyd said.

The sheriff's office will do a forensic examination to investigate the cause and circumstances of Ewing's death, Boyd said.

Ewing is believed to have been the sole occupant of his boat. The coroner's office does not suspect foul play at this time, Boyd said.

"The Coast Guard extends our deepest condolences to the parents, extended family and friends of the victim of this tragedy," Capt. Greg Stump, Coast Guard Sector San Francisco's commander, said in a statement.