The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has completed its investigation into last year’s horrific dive boat fire that tragically killed 34 people off the coast of California.
Lack of Roving Night Watch Allowed Dive Boat Fire to Spread
The Conception fire erupted around 3:00 a.m. on September 2, 2019, as the 75-foot dive vessel was moored just off southern California’s Santa Cruz Island. The ship was on the third day of a Channel Islands excursion and was expected back in Santa Barbara Harbor by 5:00 p.m.
Only five crew members, including the Conception’s captain, survived the disaster. All were apparently sleeping top-side when the fire broke out. Although they attempted to save those below decks, the intensity of the flames thwarted their efforts.
According to the NTSB, the failure to assign a roving night watch allowed the blaze to quickly sweep through the vessel. Thirty-three passengers and one crewmember were trapped below deck in the boat’s single sleeping quarters. Board members were highly critical of the Conception’s captain, Jerry Boylan, and its owner, Truth Aquatics, for the lack of a night watch and the failure to properly train crew on emergency procedures.
“I hate the term accident in this case because, in my opinion, it is not an accident if you fail to operate your company safely,” said Board member Jennifer Homendy.
NTSB Unable to Pinpoint Cause of Conception Fire
Because the Conception burned and sank, the NTSB was unable to pinpoint the fire’s exact cause. However, investigators did confirm that the blaze began toward the back of the main deck salon, where passengers were charging phones, cameras, and other electronics powered by lithium-ion batteries.
“Some people may walk away and say, ‘Well, I wish I knew what the ignition source was,'” Homendy said. “But the key here is that the focus should be on conditions were present that allowed the fire to go undetected and to grow to a point where it prevented the evacuation.”
During yesterday’s virtual hearing, investigators also revealed that some of the dead were wearing their shoes, indicating they were awake and attempting to escape before they died. But both exits from the sleeping quarters were blocked by flames, and everyone in the cabin died of smoke inhalation.
NTSB Faults U.S. Coast Guard for Inadequate Regulations
The U.S. Coast Guard also came under fire for inadequate regulations, including the lack of a requirement for interconnected smoke detectors in all accommodation spaces and poor emergency escape arrangements. Among other things, investigators noted that the Coast Guard had not issued a fine or citation for failing to post a roving watch since 1991, suggesting there isn’t an adequate system in place to enforce the requirement. The Board called for such a system to be implemented.
“The Coast Guard will carefully consider the National Transportation Safety Board’s recommendations through a deliberate process, which will include review by all subject matter experts and senior leaders responsible for implementing the potential regulatory changes,” Lt. Cmdr. Scott McBride said in a statement.
Shortly after the Conception fire, the Coast Guard did recommend limiting the use of lithium-ion batteries and extensive use of power strips and extension cords. But in the past, the Coast Guard and other federal agencies have repeatedly failed to implement some NTSB recommendations made in the wake of other disasters.
While the size of the Conception’s emergency hatch – 22 inches by 22 inches – met current regulations, the NTSB criticized that as inadequate, noting its location required passengers to climb to an upper bunk and then pull themselves through the opening.
“I don’t see how an average human with a life jacket on could get up through that hatch … without being a contortionist,” said Board member Michael E. Graham.
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