Tag Archives: Dive boat Conception

What we know and don’t know about dive boat Conception’s demise – crew, ship and regulations are all under scrutiny

Amid anguish over 34 lives lost in the fire that consumed a recreational diving boat off the Channel Islands this week — one of the worst passenger boat accidents in modern history — a central question lingers: What could have caused such a swift, deadly catastrophe? Speculation has swirled from overheated lithium batteries in charging cell phones and laptops to enhanced oxygen to prolong dives and electrical wiring. But as investigators probe the Labor Day disaster, attention is focusing on three key areas: the crew’s actions and training, the boat’s design and construction, and the regulations governing the operation. >click to read< 14:06

Search warrants served in California boat fire investigation>click to read< 18:16

UPDATE 2: Coast Guard suspends search for survivors of sunken boat near Santa Cruz Island

The Coast Guard suspended their search for survivors aboard the Conception Tuesday at 9:40 a.m. following a search that began Monday. In total, Coast Guard assets searched for 23 hours covering approximately 160 square miles. The Coast Guard utilized the following assets throughout the search: (5) MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crews (2) 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crews, The Coast Guard Cutter Narwhal, an 87-foot Patrol Boat homeported in Corona Del Mar. The Coast Guard will continue working alongside partner agencies throughout the recovery and investigation phases.
-USCG- >Video, click to watch< 16:30

Rescue crews still searching for passengers trapped aboard Conception. Once the fire started, it was too late for many

Rescuers continued searching overnight off the coast of Santa Cruz Island for passengers who were trapped aboard the Conception when the dive boat caught fire and sank early Monday. At least 15 people were confirmed dead, and others were still missing early Tuesday,,, Additional bodies were recovered from the wreckage overnight, but updated numbers were not available early Tuesday, said Amber Anderson, a spokesperson for the Santa Barbara City Fire Department. >click to read<  10:54

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.,, The cause has yet to be determined, but regardless of what sparked and fueled the fire, this much is clear: Once it started, it was too late for most of those on board to safely escape. >click to read<

UPDATE 1: Coast Guard, local agencies continue response to boat fire near Santa Cruz Island

SAN PEDRO, Calif. Coast Guard and partner agencies continue their response to a vessel fire that led to the Conception sinking near Santa Cruz Island Monday morning. A family assistance number has been established at (833) 688-5551 or (800) 400-1572. A 3,000-foot temporary flight restriction has been established around the Conception. Thirty-nine people were reported aboard the vessel at the time of the incident. Five people were rescued from the water during the initial response to the incident. Several deceased victims have also been recovered from the scene. >click to read< 19:01

Coast Guard, local agencies responding to boat fire near Santa Cruz Island, 33 people aboard the vessel are unaccounted for.

SAN PEDRO, Calif – Coast Guard and partner agencies are responding to a vessel fire near Santa Cruz Island Monday. At approximately 3:15 a.m., Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach watchstanders overheard a mayday call via channel 16 of an engulfed 75-foot commercial diving vessel with 38 people aboard. Crews from the Coast Guard, Santa Barbara Fire Department, Ventura County Fire Department and Vessel Assist responded. The fire department crews were fighting the fire when the vessel sank 20 yards off shore in 64 feet of water. >click to read< 12:01

BREAKING: 34 killed in boat incident off Ventura County coast in California, Limited Information

The Ventura County Fire Department has confirmed 34 people have been killed in a boat incident off the Ventura County coast. That’s according to KTLA. >click to read< A rescue operation was underway early Monday involving a boat off the Ventura County coast, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. >click to read< 09:19