Posted on 09/03/2019 6:56:09 AM PDT by libstripper
LOS ANGELES - The 75-foot dive boat Conception was considered one of the best of its kind in the region, and both it and its operator, Truth Aquatics Inc., were in compliance with U.S. Coast Guard regulations.
That all changed Monday in the flash of a predawn fire near Santa Cruz Island, when the Conception sank in flames, taking with it more than 30 people who were below deck in bunk beds, apparently unable to get out.
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...
If boat was diesel-powered, why did the boat burn so quickly and intensely??
Saw other comments saying coast guard couldn’t extinguish flames because flames would not die down or would re-ignite.
Here’s a video of the bunk area. I think there was only one exit up some narrow stairs.
https://youtu.be/qygqVNJdeyA?t=106
boat name: Conception
operated by: Truth Aquatics Inc.
In CA of course.
The boat was also diesel powered, meaning there was far less chance of fire and instant explosion that would have been with a gasoline engine.
...
And the boat was equipped with a fire suppression system in the engine area.
I hope the smoke got to them before the fire.
With that many people below one would think they would require two points of entry/exit.
>>>boat name: Conception
operated by: Truth Aquatics Inc.
In CA of course<<<
I don’t get the “In CA of course” snark. It is a Coastal State you know.
RIP to all the Victims. What a horrific way to die.
My money is on Propane from the Galley.
It’s called an accelerant
. ..in my life I’ve owned around 14 boats with a couple this size and I do not understand how this happened (as it’s being reported right now) this quick.
We always have one person standing watch too (through the night) with this many people on board.
Cant even imagine it being ventilated with no hatch
Point Conception. Look it up.
The only time I ever heard of a boat igniting like that is when some genius use a lighter for light searching for a gas leak. The explosion blew him out of the boat and he somehow lived. Short of getting hit by a torpedo, this conflagration seems suspicious!
Diesel will burn more intensely and hotter than gasoline if something else starts it. For example, I’ve used it to ignite brush piles by pouring it on the brush. The fire starts slowly and gently, allowing an easy escape, but becomes extremely hot as it catches hold, making diesel an excellent, safe accelerant.
Turning to the boat itself, it was all wood, and there were at least some gas tanks aboard that contained a mixture of oxygen and air. Once the fire got hot enough and those tanks, that were pressurized to about 2,500 psi, started exploding, KATY BAR THE DOOR.
Was there ever a Coast Guard inspection of that boat?
with army or AYH style barracks sleeping accommodations that gave almost no hope of escape
With that many people below one would think they would require two points of entry/exit.
...
The article says there was an escape hatch above one of the bunks.
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