[CaliforniaDisasters] Early NTSB Report Released in California Diving Boat Fire That Left 34 Dead

The Labor Day fire aboard a scuba diving boat off the California coast left 34 people trapped below deck dead

By Jonathan Lloyd

September 12, 2019

Ventura County Fire Department

The dive boat Conception is pictured following a deadly fire Sept. 2, 2019 off Santa Cruz Island.

A preliminary report released Thursday on the Conception diving boat fire confirmed that all six crew members were asleep when flames started to engulf the vessel in the early morning hours off the Southern California coast, leaving 34 people dead.

The National Transportation Safety Board report provides a timeline of events in the Labor Day fire during a scuba diving trip and actions taken by the boat's crew, but it noted that investigators are still attempting to determine the source of the fire.

The two-page report confirmed that six crew members were asleep at about 3 a.m. when the boat, anchored off Santa Cruz Island, caught fire. One crew member sleeping in a wheelhouse berth was awakened by a noise, according to the report. The crew member got up to see a fire rising from the compartment below and alerted others.

Crew members attempted to enter the compartment and reach passengers, but were not able to use an access ladder that was on fire. They then tried to access the area through a forward window, but were overwhelmed by smoke and jumped overboard, according to the report.

The report states that initial interviews with crew members indicated that no mechanical or electrical issues were reported with the boat.

As for a cause of the fire, NTSB member Jennifer Homendy has said investigators are looking at several factors, including how batteries and electronics were stored and charged. They will also look into how the crew was trained and what crew members were doing at the time of the fire.

The report comes as recommendations were issued by the Coast Guard that include limiting the unsupervised charging of lithium-ion batteries and the use of power strips and extension cords.

Investigators also are attempting to recover the boat wreckage north of Santa Cruz Island. An ongoing criminal probe is being conducted by the FBI, Coast Guard and the U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles.

Divers have recovered the remains of all 34 victims -- 21 women and 13 men ranging from 16 to 62 years old -- who apparently died of smoke inhalation as they were trapped below a raging fire. The remains of the last victim were recovered Wednesday.

Source: https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Conception-Diving-Boat-Fire-Investigation-California-560130331.html

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