Man identified from fatal Tomales Bay boating accident

A man who died Monday after his boat capsized in Tomales Bay was identified Tuesday as Brian Phidat Ho of San Jose.

Ho, 47, a friend and two dogs were tossed into the water when their 13-foot-long Boston Whaler was hit by a wave early Monday afternoon. They had gotten into trouble at the bay’s mouth, a notorious spot for rough water and the frequent scene of boating incidents.

The two had motored about 8 miles from Bodega Bay south to the north end of Tomales Bay and were just short of their destination - Lawson’s Landing - where friends were waiting.

The vessel in distress call came just after noon. Several Sonoma and Marin county emergency agencies responded.

The friend, who hasn’t been identified by authorities, got himself and Ho to the west side of the bay. The Sonoma County sheriff’s helicopter crew found them on a beach, Ho apparently already dead, said sheriff’s Sgt. Pete Quartarolo.

One dog was found alive in the water and rescued. The second dog hadn’t been found as of Tuesday morning.

Ho, the man with him on the boat and others waiting on shore were employees of Casino M8trix, a San Jose sports bar and card room.

“The Casino M8trix family is heartbroken by the loss of Brian Ho. Brian loved fishing, he was a master barbecuer, an exemplary co-worker and employee for over a decade, and he will be missed by all of us here at the casino,” casino spokeswoman Martha Copra said Tuesday in an email.