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”
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.