Fire on dive boat Conception in CA

[StefinSB]

The founder of PSI said that they can explode in a fire, as aluminum loses strength very fast, and the metal might reach yield strength before the pressure in the air rises to activate the burst disk. Espacially if the tanks were like half full. Say like after a night dive when the plan was to refill them in the morning...

]

It’s a mood point as the back of the boat, where the cylinders were, burned last. Besides, there were probably a lot of steel cylinders around. I don’t know anyone that dives Al-cylinders locally but some shops rent them.

 

[george_austin]

The tanks were on the back of the boat, and that was the last area to burn, and it did not burn as much. Then the boat sank.

Maybe the burst disk’s worked during heat caused overpressure.

 

[KevinNM]

Maybe the burst disk’s worked during heat caused overpressure.

Maybe not.

Bob Hansen told the paper you could hear explosions from the engulfed diving boat "every couple of minutes."

 

[Tug]

I've had a thought.
There has been some discussion about smoke detectors, possibly not going off. What if it didn't? But it passed testing? The general test for most smoke detectors is to press the "test" button and hope you remember hearing protection while doing so. So the screaming memmie yells good and loud, but did it actually detect any smoke? Electronics in a salt water environment have never been known to be a good mix. Will the detector actually detect smoke? was it the right kind of smoke to trigger the detector? I remember something a long time ago about different detectors and one was tolerant of steam from a shower or a kitchen but the other style would fire off.
It was just a thought. Not like it will be able to be tested now since it burnt up and sat on the bottom of the ocean for a week. Could you fault the crew/USCG as they tested the detector is designed to be tested?

Granted all my USCG/ABS inspections haven’t been on subchapter t vessels, but whenever they test detectors they either use a heat gun for heat detectors or cans of smoke for smoke detectors. We’ve even had inspectors ask if there are any smokers onboard and then had them light a cigarette under the detectors.

 

[Tug]

Once again, not on a subchapter t vessel, but I have a COI inspection later this week. We’re all curious as to what they focus on and wouldn’t be surprised if firefighting and safety items are scrutinized more than normal.

 

[HalcyonDaze]

]

It’s a mood point as the back of the boat, where the cylinders were, burned last. Besides, there were probably a lot of steel cylinders around. I don’t know anyone that dives Al-cylinders locally but some shops rent them.

Not sure about steel versus aluminum cylinders on the boat, but I agree that by the time any tanks started going the boat was already a TCL and those below were gone.

As far as the USCG "edict," that's about what I'd expect at this stage - a reminder to be vigilant rather than specific findings from the investigation.

 

[bowlofpetunias]

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We can not determine the cause here but discussing possibilities may help to prevent future tragedies.

34 Casualties DNA identified

• SB Sheriff Brown (Coroner) states probable COD smoke inhalation
• last victim found 11 Sept

Conception compliant met or exceeded applicable USCG requirements on last inspection implies approved; fire alarms, fire fighting equipment and escape routes

• Grandfathered for inspection requirements. Discussion here
• USCG issue Safety Information Bulletin 10 Sept 2019
  
• Certificate of Inspection here

NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) Preliminary Report
Preliminary Report: Marine DCA19MM047
Discussion points

• concludes all crew sleeping
• Statement in Preliminary Report says it may contain errors

Anchor Watch

• Captain's responsibilities
  
• Regulations
  
• Anchor watch process discussion
• People from prior trips reported meeting the "watchman" at various times during night

Rough time line as reported

• night dive time? commonly done by passengers; NO night dive by Crew
  
• 2:30 crew member finished up in the galley verified heating elements were out and cold etc. Then went upstairs to bed. Not indicated if this was the designated Anchor Watch see
  
• Between 3 and 3:14, a crew member awoke hearing a bang. He attempted to go down to investigate but stairs already afire.
• 5 crew were in the wheelhouse two levels above the berth area. 1 crew member in the berth below did not survive.
• crew jumped to deck, one broke leg other undisclosed ankle injuries
• Captain first Mayday from Bridge documented 3:14
• crew tried to reach the passengers from aft passage into the salon/galley then via forward front windows
  
• forced from the boat by the fire some swam aft to the dingy & brought it alongside to rescue injured crew
  
• sought help from nearby vessel Grape Escape Another Mayday call.

Most suspected causes of fire discussed

• charging batteries either in the Galley or possibly berth area
• Dept of Fire Protection Engineering, U of Maryland video
  
• electrical fires are often a factor
  
• boat fires DO burn quickly
• electrical wiring faults inside walls can smolder for hours before bursting into flame
• Boat USA Foundation boat fire video

Battery discussions here

Original location of fire not yet established

• former owner believes it started in passenger berth area
• some believe it started in galley/salon area

Conception's layout and facilities

• all electric no propane or other fuel used for cooking
• Nitrox = Nuvair Membrane
• NO banked Oxygen
• all O2 First aid tanks or stage bottles were aft (last to burn)
• Conception Safety Video link
  
• Post fire picture
• News footage raising the Conception

Exits from Dorm

• main exit - stairs to starboard forward end of the dorm to the galley/salon.
• emergency hatch above bunks at aft end of dorm exited in aft portion of the salon, just inside the passageway to the after deck.
• no locked doors to the galley, salon or berth area.

The design of berth area and escape hatches discussed extensively. It meets current USCG standards which many believe may be changed as a result of this tragedy.

Excellent DAN article Mental Health post incident

Google Map link that shows Platt Harbor and the US Coast Guard Station, Channel Islands. Ventura and Santa Barbara are to the north

Related threads

A personal perspective on California Live-aboards
Discussion of legal aspects here
Condolences posted here
Donations here

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[Dirty Mac]

I'm more thinking that on the liveaboards I've done, we racked up four dives per day. I sure as hell wouldn't volunteer to cut that to one or two so I can sit up with a fire extinguisher all night.

Moving on, it seems a few of our regulars had a word with the San Francisco Chronicle; what intrigues me is the incident mentioned at the very end: After fire, divers worry that burst of regulations will restrain free-spirited sport

This article reads like this was a diving accident. It wasn't. It was a boating accident. It could've just as well happened to a boat load of fishermen or a boat load of sightseers. That said there may very well be some needed changes......to CG boat regulations....not SCUBA directly. These requirements would obviously apply to all such commercial boats carrying passengers. If that has an impact on the dive industry in the form of added cost due to boat and safety upgrades....so be it. Just my 2 cents. Your mileage may vary.

 

[Wookie]

This is going to hurt. From 46 CFR 185.410

§ 185.410 Watchmen.
The owner, charterer, master, or managing operator of a vessel carrying overnight passengers shall have a suitable number of watchmen patrol throughout the vessel during the nighttime, whether or not the vessel is underway, to guard against, and give alarm in case of, a fire, man overboard, or other dangerous situation.

 

[Tug]

Would the required watchmen be listen on the COI?