Channel Islands CA charter boat fire

[drburke]

Sadly, it seems many lives were lost early this morning on a charter dive boat; 34 missing at last count. I have visited this area several times, and our member RonNP was moored at a nearby harbor for years.

The crew of 5 were up early 3:30AM preparing breakfast when a fire broke out (possibly explosion--too early to tell) and the entire dive passenger group may have been trapped below.

They were on the north side of an uninhabited island (national park) over 30 miles from fire services, although the USCG helicopters were dispatched.

When reviewing the design, I was shocked to see only a single exit point passing through the galley area.

https://www.truthaquatics.com/conception/
https://goods.truthaquatics.com/u/sites/23/2018/12/conception-bunk-layout.png
https://goods.truthaquatics.com/u/sites/23/2018/12/boat-bunk-2-1200x800.jpg
http://www.seawayboats.net/-conception-.html

I was under the impression that a forward hatch or second exit was mandatory. Am I mistaken?

See "Means of Escape" in this document:
https://homeport.uscg.mil/Lists/Con...Small Passenger Vessel Guide NY published.pdf

How would you even get passenger certification like this?

Very sad event regardless,
DAN

 

[RonNP]

The Conception was often seen off of the Channel Islands as she ran all year for scuba divers. My question is how in the world did the crew and Captain not manage to save ANY of the passenger's lives. I can only guess carbon monoxide/smoke inhalation killed the passengers before the fire got to them. God rest their souls.

 

[drburke]

Disturbing as f*ck:

https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/california-boat-fire/index.html

Really? "no fire equipment" "unlock the boat"

https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/46/177.500

Beam of vessel was 25', so roughly 322 sq ft / 25 is 12.5'.

But three bunks end-to-end at say 7' would be 21' minimum. Don't see apparent emergency exit in various pictures, but *may* have been present.


DAN

 

[drburke]

The captain who rescued the crew was Bob Hansen aboard a Hatteras named "Grape Escape".

I don't know if he is a member here, but kudos regardless. The boat is a 1999 60' sportfisher, I think.