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 ...
“There is no propane or any other explosive gas / chemical / metal stored on the boat -”
What do they uses for heating food and water?
I think something on the boat went up really quick. The suggestion of a galley fire accelerated by the fuel for the galley stove may not be far-fetched.
“Dive tanks are air...not oxygen.”
Air contains oxygen.
I’ve done many multi day trips on boats out of so cal - including the Conception - as well, many times, I’ve come across emergency hatches being blocked with gear bags, spearguns, cameras, scooters, fins spare tanks even. I really hope Jerry had a nightwatch that made anchor and safety walkarounds during the night.
Such a rehearsal is a great idea, but without perpetual training of the crew, it’s the equivalent of a perfect score target shooter getting into a real fun fight, dropping the weapon and running.
And even if the crew were properly trained and experienced in getting people off the boat, the other people are not trained and panic will set in. Pure panic makes any instruction from the crew not heard at all.
It’s all electric - Conception has a generator and battery storage. It’s the lithium batteries brought aboard by the passengers that can be dangerous due to explosion and fire. The charging station would have been packed with L-Io batteries charging for the next days dive
Propane.
Looks just like Navy berthing.
But there’s a design flaw. Only one way out.
One way out!
That, and apparently no fire watch doomed them.
Lawsuits will abound and will prevail. The boat manufacturer will be found liable. The insurance company will be found liable. The operator will be found liable.
Dive tanks use compressed air, not oxygen.
Correct. Compressed air is what most recreational divers breathe. The tanks would not be considered an accelerant.
Do you know what Nitrox is?
There were two exit points, a stairway up to the galley at the forward end of the cabin and an emergency escape hatch at the back that escapees would have to climb up b climbing a couple of bunks. Not what one would call an easy place to get escape from with 35 tightly packed bunks in a very small place.
Correction: The emergency escape was beside the stairs to the galley and people had to climb the bunk immediately beside it to get to the escape. There was no aft escape.
My guess is leaking propane (cooking).
I just hear a news report that the escape hatch was locked form the outside.
Thanks for reply posting.
The vessel past the coast guard inspection this past February!!!
Thanks again Doodle. The self-righteous little baby children on FR continue to remind me of how smart they are, instead. of as you just did simply posting an answer.
Been on the receiving end of that more than a few times myself.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.