Conception Captain Found Guilty of Manslaughter

[berndo]

The coast guard disagreed. They thought it was fine for decades.

Than it's no wonder that the insurance rates go through the roof. When the CG just signs off on any swimming death trap with zero safety features, it makes sense that the insurance companies yank up the rates.

I don't think that hatch could have been considered and emergency exit by any definition.

 

[Wookie]

Than it's no wonder that the insurance rates go through the roof. When the CG just signs off on any swimming death trap with zero safety features, it makes sense that the insurance companies yank up the rates.

I don't think that hatch could have been considered and emergency exit by any definition.

I'm not being argumentative (well, only a little), but according to the MGN 280 from MCA, your small* commercial code vessels are also grandfathered to the safety standards to which they were built....

*under 24 meters load line length

 

[Wookie]

In fact, UK rules are almost identical to USA rules. Remember, these 2 countries have the most advanced rules of any country, with Canada and Australia right with them.

14.8 Means of Escape
14.8.1 Two means of escape should be provided in:-
.1 accommodation spaces used for sleeping or rest; and
.2 other accommodation spaces affected by a fire risk; and
.3 machinery spaces affected by a fire risk except:
i) those spaces visited only occasionally or unmanned during normal operation, and
where the single access gives ready escape, at all times, in the event of fire; or
ii) those spaces where any person entering and moving about the space is within 5
metres of the single entrance, at all times.
The means of escape should be such that a single hazardous event will not cut-off both
escape routes. Only in the exceptional case, such that the overall safety of the vessel would
be diminished, should means of escape contrary to Section 14.8.1.1, .2 or .3 be accepted.

 

[berndo]

... are also grandfathered to the safety standards to which they were built....

I get that. I just think it's insane.

The means of escape should be such that a single hazardous event will not cut-off both
escape routes.

A fire anywhere in the salon, the stairs or the bunk room would have filled the the salon with smoke in no time, rendering both escape routes equally useless or at least really dangerous, no?

 

[Wookie]

I get that. I just think it's insane.


A fire anywhere in the salon, the stairs or the bunk room would have filled the the salon with smoke in no time, rendering both escape routes equally useless or at least really dangerous, no?

On that particular boat, IIRC, one of the forward salon windows opened for a second escape route. But you had to know that, had to be briefed on how it worked, etc.

The UK circular on recreational vessels tells you specifically not to go into a smoke filled space.

You are, of course, correct. In a perfect world, the escape route would lead to a space not in the same space as the regular exit. In fact, in a perfect world, the escape route would be as grand and easy to negotiate as the regular exit, and in fact would also be used as a regular exit.

I've never heard of a perfect world on anything aside from a cruise ship.....

 

[DAF]

It appears that the vessel met the applicable Coast Guard regulations however at the time of the fire it is also clear that the applicable regulations were no longer adequate. The Titanic met all of the British Board of Trade regulations when it was built and after it sank it was also clear that those regulations were not adequate for a vessel like it. Unfortunately it far to often takes an accident that claims many lives to to make the changes and updates needed to occur.

 

[Wookie]

It appears that the vessel met the applicable Coast Guard regulations however at the time of the fire it is also clear that the applicable regulations were no longer adequate. The Titanic met all of the British Board of Trade regulations when it was built and after it sank it was also clear that those regulations were not adequate for a vessel like it. Unfortunately it far to often takes an accident that claims many lives to to make the changes and updates needed to occur.

That's how the term "Maritime regulations are written in blood" came about.

 

[berndo]

On that particular boat, IIRC, one of the forward salon windows opened for a second escape route. But you had to know that, had to be briefed on how it worked, etc.

I'm not sure I understand what you're trying to say.
How does it help to have a window open in the salon when the salon is on fire and people are trapped in a roon under the salon?

I've never heard of a perfect world on anything aside from a cruise ship.....

When you say 'in a perfect world' your're making it sound like having one viable escape route is an unreasonable expectation.

 

[Wookie]

I'm not sure I understand what you're trying to say.
How does it help to have a window open in the salon when the salon is on fire and people are trapped in a roon under the salon?

The window that opened was right at the top of the stairs from berthing. Get to the top of the stairs, dive out the window.

When you say 'in a perfect world' your're making it sound like having one viable escape route is an unreasonable expectation.

Not at all. There are a few perfect dive boats out there, purpose built to carry divers in safety.

But the vast majority were re-purposed from something else. Repurposing a vessel often results in a less than perfect situation.

 

[scubadada]

The Vision and the Truth both seem to be running under Channel Island Expeditions/California Dive Charters

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The diagrams show 3 emergency exits on the Vision, 2 to the outside, and 1 emergency exit on the Truth, to the outside. They also state that centralized fire detection and alarm systems are on all levels.