Posted on 09/02/2019 8:51:41 AM PDT by Zhang Fei
At least 34 people were feared dead after a boat caught fire off Santa Cruz Island, California, early Monday morning, officials have confirmed.
Fox affiliate KTTV earlier confirmed there were nearly three dozen fatalities, but Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr Matthew Kroll told Fox News the 34 people were unaccounted for from a commercial diving ship. The captain of the boat was helping with the rescue. Four other people were rescued. Lt. Cmdr Kroll later confirmed the ship sunk near the north shore of Santa Cruz Island after taking on water.
At least 34 people were feared dead after a boat caught fire off Santa Cruz Island, California, early Monday morning, officials have confirmed.
Fox affiliate KTTV earlier confirmed there were nearly three dozen fatalities, but Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr Matthew Kroll told Fox News the 34 people were unaccounted for from a commercial diving ship. The captain of the boat was helping with the rescue. Four other people were rescued. Lt. Cmdr Kroll later confirmed the ship sunk near the north shore of Santa Cruz Island after taking on water.
"The Coast Guard has launched multiple rescue assets along with assets from local agencies to assist more than 30 people in distress on a 75ft boat near Santa Cruz Island," Coast Guard LA said in a tweet shortly before 5 a.m. local time.
A second tweet from the Coast Guard said the vessel was reported as being on fire and that one of those rescued had minor injuries.
Firefighters with the Ventura County Fire Department responded around 3:28 a.m., according to a spokesperson.
The Coast Guard responded with two helicopters, two 45-foot Swift boats and an 87-foot cutter.
Officer Nathan Alldredge of the Santa Barbara Harbor Patrol told Fox News that his office responded to a mutual aid call
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Cited within the last two years for detection equipment issue.
Smokes, lighters, vapor pens, cabin furnishings are all flammables. Diesel generator could burn. Electrical fire in the passenger area is an issue also. Possible there were cabin heaters, what with Pacific ocean water temperatures chilling the below deck areas.
Transcript—hatches blocked?
Hmmmm. I wonder what the fuel for that would have been.
All in the name of conserving the Island. It was a big thing on FR when it took place. It was all BS they have no intention of conserving the Island there hasn't been one tree planted since it was taken over. The Island years ago was clear cut and never replanted.
San Clemente has a range. Used to hear them in my Del Mar youth.
As was the Jarbidge Bucket Brigade
Thanks for all of your info regarding the boat. It really helps to right all the guessing & misinformation
From the photos of the bunk area under-deck, it looks like there was one way out on the ladder; if that were blocked by fire I guess they were trapped, probably most died of smoke inhalation. Awful, my best for their families.
I have met Bill Finsted, the original owner of Truth Aquatics.
Sounds like his daughter and current owner was killed in the fire.
This has really shocked the West Coast diver community as they were a first class operation.
Agreed, it was a well run boat with quality employees.
They did evening bbq on the deck every night.
Usually Scallops and fish caught that day.
If it was well run, how come they did not pump their bilge
That does seem strange.
Many times on these multi day trips, passengers unknowingly block emergency hatches with coolers, dive bags with all their stuff for three days, camera equipment, spearguns, dive equipment, etc etc. The crew job at night and at anchorage every 30 minutes is to do a safety walkaround to MAKE SURE nothing is amiss and especially no hatches are blocked - ANYWHERE.
A few of the boats I worked on, during heat waves like we’re having now, all the glass is open and all hatches are open to get the breeze at night. The Conception was such a great boat, the A/C is likely in perfect working order so it’s possible to secure all windows and hatches overnight. Pure speculation but seen it before. Many crewmembers have diving experience but may not have that much experience being on ships at sea where preparedness and safety are the most important thing in the world. Passengers bring a mountain of stuff on multi day trips and it’s not unusual to see emergency hatches blocked by “stuff”
Apparently without blinders on.
Remember to always trust Big Media, especially when it’s not DIRECTLY related to politics, right?
Hard to put out a fire if all the capable hands jumped off. Must have been a horrific explosion as I would imagine someone would have attempted to help if possible.
No, you can smell it.
We have a sailboat in Ventura Harbor. Ever since the morning I got up and a boat just down from me had sank in the slip, I leave my hatch above the v berth unlocked at night. A sea cock gave way and down she went. The neighbor said it didn’t take long. Now I want no impediment on getting out. Lessons.
Here is a youtube video of the Conception and you can see the upper and lower decks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qygqVNJdeyA
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