Fire on dive boat Conception in CA

[K_girl]

FYI...….A little history -- Truth Aquatics

This is just one in a series of tragedies that the Truth Aquatics has been involved.

Event #One
The first one was when the "original" Truth which went aground. It was later destroyed by wave action before it could be salvaged, The few items that were salvaged and in condition to be used to construct the "New Truth" aka "Truth" was the diesel engine and a few miscellaneous items.

Upon completion of the "New Truth" a newer bigger boat the "Conception" was created (Concept ?)

All this occurred under the direction of the late great highly respected hot charter boat Captain Roy Hauser.

Event #Two
Some how, some way, no one knows how. but artificial reefs constructed of toilet bowls began appearing on reefs beyond normal sports diving depths at a number of hot dive locations in my beloved Orange County, LA County and at the Channel Islands. For a select few divers they became a private lobster market, always insuring a limit of then 10 bugs on a very short bounce dive.

On one such 175 foot dive things went horribly wrong for Roy Hauser and despite the immediate and heroic efforts of the crew and those on board Roy was irreversibly bent and sent the remainder of his long life confined to a wheel chair.

However he remained involved as the founder and driving force of the Truth Aquatics for many years

Event # Three
The current fire
Via con Dios bussos, Amigos mi

Sam Miller, 111

I suspect we can expect some major changes in dive boat charted procedures and construction both locally , nationally and internationally -- It is coming !
sdm

You forgot about the Conception being stolen by a homeless man in 2005.

 

[Scared Silly]

I
Based on THIS post it *appears* that it was a dive group based in Winters, California that chartered the boat. However, that does not necessarily mean all divers were from Winters (or Sacramento area). It is not at all uncommon for divers to join dive clubs outside their geographical areas, even if for just one trip.

This statement is certainly true as we have joined such charters before.

 

[hammet]

Coast Guard records
USCG PSIX Search Page

put WYR8548 into the call sign search box
Click on "conception"
and then 'click here' to view contact data and previous coast guard citings.

 

[abnfrog]

truly a great tragedy.............there are no words

 

[Compressor]

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A ScubaBoard Staff Message...

Please refrain from speculating on the cause of this accident.
Remember that there are grieving families at this very moment. So please have respect for the loved ones.
The NTSB will be doing an investigation and the report will be public.

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[KathyV]

Four bodies have been recovered, the article says that they appear to have drowned:

California boat fire: Bodies recovered, many people still missing

 

[lowflyer]

Heartfelt sympathy for family members.
And the crew will need much support after the horror they witnessed and the countless ways their lives will be
adversely affected

 

[diverrex]

IIRC, and it's been a few years, The Conception, The Truth, The Vision, The Great Escape (Long Beach),and The Horizon (San Diego) are all basically identical boats with slight variations. There may well be others too....

The Truth has a completely different stairway access than the Conception or Vision. On the Truth there is a wide stairway as you enter the rear of the galley near mid ship. The Conception and Vision have a more narrow stairway at the front of the galley toward the bow .

All three vessels are nice dive boats. If I had my choice I'd rather dive the Conception or Vision than the Truth, they are both bigger and have a much nicer shower area near the bow.

This is all so tragic.

 

[xmass-Eve]

distress call:
Chirbit [] Ventura County Fire Scanner Audio from Broadcastify.com

This is terrible to listen to....

My condolences to all families involved....

 

[KathyV]

Truth Aquatics have posted this information on their Facebook Page:

Truth Aquatics
22 mins ·

Please extend this information to anyone looking for information in regards to the trip this weekend on the Conception:

County has jurisdiction over this event, lead by Sheriff in incident command with Fire. The City of Santa Barbara has been in close contact with the City of Santa Barbara and the coast guard.

There is a Family Assistance Center setup at Earl Warren Showgrounds, and the Emergency Operation center has set up a call center for families: (833) 688-5551. Please direct all questions here as they will have the most recent information. Also, the 211 service is available and can provide information.

For all media requests; please call the Joint Media Center (805) 696-1188.

This is still an ongoing search and rescue - please contact these numbers listed above for the most current information.