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.
It’s called an accelerant
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.
Oxygen for the dive tanks?
Sounds like there were some chemicals on that boat that burn like that. Thermite?
They had a tender with an outboard, so would have had some gasoline onboard for that. Also 2 generators and air compressors for filling tanks that could have overheated or something. The galley used electric for cooking, so probably not a galley fire. They had some Oxygen available for medical treatment. Maybe could have had a leak there that would most likely go undetected.
Lithium battery charging and overcharging. People shoot pictures nowadays instead of fish. I’ve used Conception before. It is the jewel of the California dive boat fleet. A multiple lithium battery explosion and fire directly above the berthing compartment where 34 people were asleep is something we haven’t seen before. This is speculation. Also, on multi day trips, many times emergency hatches get blocked with gear bags, clothing bags, dive tanks, scooters, cameras etc etc
My guess is leaking propane (cooking).