A horrific fire broke on the commercial scuba diving vessel, Conception, off Santa Cruz Island in the Channel Islands of California, early on Monday morning. Thirty-four people are believed to have died in the fire. Five of six crew members escaped alive. So far, the Coast Guard has recovered 25 bodies from the hull of the wooden dive boat. Nine remain missing and are presumed dead. Most of the dead were asleep in a common bunk room below deck when the intense fire broke out.
A Mayday call reporting the fire was received at 3:15 AM, Monday morning. The fire is started on the 75′ long wooden dive boat while it was anchored about 20 yards off Platts Harbor on Santa Cruz Island, officials said. Firefighters were attempting to put out the fire when the boat sank in 60-foot waters. The dive boat was on a three-day dive excursion.
Officials said the vessel was in full compliance with inspections and other regulations.
The passenger accommodation space was on the lower deck accessible by two narrow stairways to the galley and upper decks. There was also reported to be an emergency hatch at the other end of the berthing space. The 33 passengers slept in two and three high bunk beds and were believed to be asleep when the fire broke out.
California boat fire kills at least 25 people
Thanks to Phil Leon for contributing to this post.
ABC NEWS, 3-hpirs ago, California time/ with video
25 bodies located after boat fire near Santa Cruz Island, 9 still missing, Coast Guard says
https://abc7.com/25-bodies-found-after-boat-erupts-in-flames-off-santa-cruz-island/5508025/
There was only one ladder (narrow, steep stairs) from the sleeping compartment to the main deck salon/galley. The other ladder led to the shower compartment, which was not otherwise accessible from the sleeping compartment. The emergency exit hatch was in the overhead at the aft end of the compartment, and was probably engulfed by flames from the main deck. A fire in the salon would trap everyone below decks. I have been a diver-passenger aboard the Conception a few times.
When I asked a salesman at a boatshow why there was no escape hatch in the aft cabin of their production line boats leaving the only exit past the galley and the engine (the two most likely sources of fire) I was told it wasn’t required because there was a smoke alarm… yeah, right.
After so many years without a ‘major’ incident – to have one so Catastrophic I just cannot phantom – there appear no bread crumbs leading to a cause – May all find peace forever more –
Looks like the crew just jumped ship leaving passengers behind
Like Morro Castle, Joan La Rie III, …
After this investigation is completed the USCG will tighten the noose
It’s puzzling that the first notice the crew of the boat had of a problem (according to an account by the first to awaken) was a popping sound, not smoke/fire alarms. This crew member was confronted by flames and smoke after opening the door of his compartment, thereby suggesting that the vessel should already have been blaring with alarms– assuming such equipment was functional.
It’ll be interesting to see if there’s any firm evidence that alarm equipment was operable at the time of the fire.
Exigencies of budgets and time available for maintenance figure time and again in situations such as this.