Fire on dive boat Conception in CA

[John ("Popeye") Renshaw]

I took a couple of dive trips aboard Conception back in 1982-83 when the vessel was brand spanking new. (As well as on its sister ship "Truth" (built in 1974).) Truly world class. Yet we need to remember also that these are aging ships ---- Conception had been in service 38 years. With age comes need for more frequent and expensive maintenance, updating or replacing of engines and systems. The fire is said to have broken out about 3:00 AM while moored only yards off shore in about 60 feet of water. Perhaps the crew had been testing out the engine for problems previously identified? Was the fire preceded by explosion? Any fuel supplies or air tanks involved? A whole host of questions. I want to get my hands on the final detailed official report as soon as it becomes available. Which agency, federal, state, or county, will be taking top charge in issuing the report? Could take years if it is found that manufacturers have liability for things such as replacement engines, components, re-wiring of system, etc. Or perhaps the safety rules or enforcement became lax in some ways. Well worth a thorough inquiry. Let's keep the memory of these lost diving comrades alive.

 

[Storker]

Once you are there, you are again planning your dive and diving your plan. No one is in the water with you. You are on your own. There are no dive services. Outside of doing shore dives, this is by and large California's diving culture

And very much aligned with the diving culture I'm familiar with here on the right (hand) side of the pond

 

[Wookie]

Wait a minute, Louisville Diver: Are you saying that the "escape hatch" didn't lead outside, but instead led to another cabinet from which they then had do escape? How do you know this? (I think you said you had been on a sister ship, but I'm not sure.) If this is true, that's madness!

Most vessels are built this way. That hatch is not watertight.

 

[cs4160]

It’s true, it leads up into essentially the long serving Island in the dinning area, nearest to the exit to the fantail (opposite side of stairway). There are pictures of this exit in the thread

 

[runsongas]

NTSB is already investigating

anything about the cause is just a WAG at this point. same situation as when that malaysian airlines flight disappeared

 

[KevinNM]

Wait a minute, Louisville Diver: Are you saying that the "escape hatch" didn't lead outside, but instead led to another cabinet from which they then had do escape? How do you know this? (I think you said you had been on a sister ship, but I'm not sure.) If this is true, that's madness!

I think it worked like that on the Spree too. Though not the crazy cabinet thing.

Not completely sure why, partially I'd guess it has to do with maintaining water tight compartments and also where the passenger berths are compared to the salon and the engine room.

 

[Snoweman]

There is already mass speculation going in this thread:

Fire on dive boat Conception in CA

 

[Rollin Bonz]

Wait a minute, Louisville Diver: Are you saying that the "escape hatch" didn't lead outside, but instead led to another cabinet from which they then had do escape? How do you know this? (I think you said you had been on a sister ship, but I'm not sure.) If this is true, that's madness!

See previous post

 

[tbone1004]

IF....IF it was a battery fire, it could have very easily gotten out of control in a matter of seconds. Here's a Tesla battery going up. It goes from zero to hero in no time flat. That's a really big pack. but you can see how just one cell starts a thermal runaway on all of the adjacent cells. One 4-cell battery charger turns into a willy pete grenade in an enclosed space.

Not at 6:30 in the video, he says, "We can't put it out!"


Adding a NASA video. Thing goes up like a torch, CO2 fire extinguisher didn't even touch it.

Or a scooter battery....
Kees Beemster Leverenz

 

[BDSC]

So where is the anchor watch?

Good question.

Does anyone know if a boat such as this would be required to have a night watch while folks slept?