Rescue operation underway for over 30 people in boat fire off Ventura County coast, officials say

[TexasTowelie]

Source: ABC

VENTURA COUNTY (KABC) -- A massive rescue operation was launched early Monday morning in response to reports of dozens of people in distress on board a boat that possibly caught fire off the coast of Ventura County, authorities said.

More than 30 people on board a 75-foot boat near Santa Cruz island were in need of assistance, according to a tweet from the Los Angeles division of the United State Coast Guard.

Link to tweet

Coast Guard officials said a group of crew members were rescued, including one with minor injuries, as they worked to evacuate the remaining passengers. It's unknown exactly how many people were on board the vessel.

Ventura County fire officials said they were working to assist the Coast Guard with a boat fire.

Read more: https://abc7.com/dozens-being-rescued-after-boat-fire-off-ventura-county-coast-officials-say/5508025/

---

Fox8 is stating that 34 people were killed.

https://fox8.com/2019/09/02/officials-34-killed-in-boat-incident-off-ventura-county-coast-in-california/

[dalton99a]

1. Ventura County Fire Department said 34 people died.

Last edited Mon Sep 2, 2019, 10:26 AM - Edit history (1)

https://ktla.com/2019/09/02/crews-rescuing-at-least-30-people-on-boat-near-santa-cruz-island-coast-guard/


https://cadivingnews.com/dive-boat/conception-2/

[pecosbob]

2. Sad news

Always be aware of evacuation procedures anytime you go boating...be safe. Far too many people die in boating accidents every year. Condolences to the victims families.

[wasupaloopa]

3. This most likely was a tour boat taking people to

the Catalina Island Santa Cruz.

We were on the beach near Santa Barbara yesterday and heard fog horns. It is rare to hear them during daylight hours.

There was a large marine layer over the Chanel Islands. We could not see them from tha Coast,

If you go to Santa Cruz Island you have to camp out over night.

I don’t understand why the boat was loaded in the early morning.

[BumRushDaShow]

5. Apparently this was a 3-day cruise for divers

that was scheduled to return to shore today -

The vessel on fire is a dive boat named "Conception"

The diving boat that is on fire off the coast of Southern California is named "Conception." It is based in Santa Barbara Harbor, according to Santa Barbara Harbor Patrol Officer Nathan Alldredge.

Alldredge tells CNN they were called to respond shortly before 4 a.m. local today for fire suppression and mutual aid in the Platts Harbor area of Santa Cruz Island.

He says the boat was reported with "at least 30 passengers on board and fully involved in flames."

According to Truth Aquatics website, which conducts boat charters in the area, Conception left Saturday for a three-day cruise. It was scheduled to return today.

More: https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/california-boat-fire/index.html

[Glimmer of Hope]

11. I am traveling now on the train from Santa Barbara to LA

and the fog is thick.

[wasupaloopa]

4. It was a dive boat.

[Dennis Donovan]

6. Truth Aquatics website for MV Conception

https://www.truthaquatics.com/conception/



Specifications
Date launched 1981

Where built Long Beach, California

Length 75’-0”(weather deck)

Length overall (LOA) 79’-0”

Beam 25’-0”

Bunk Capacity 46 people maximum, 13 double bunks, 20 single bunks.

Type of Bunk facility Open berthing with pillows, blankets, curtains, and reading lights. Dressing room located in bunkroom.

Mains engines Detroit Diesel 8V92 Turbo DDEC @ 550 HP each

Generators Northern Lights MP55C, 55 KW, 220/110 Volt

Cruising speed 10 Knots

Fuel Capacity 1600 Gallons

Range 880 Nautical miles

Electronics 46 mile radar, VHF Radio, Single Sideband Radio, Video depth finder, Digital depth finder, GPS, Offshore Navigator Computer Program, Underwater Recall, Dive tracker™

Heads 3

Showers 4 (2 on deck, 2 below deck) , fresh hot water

Water capacity 1830 gallons

Galley Outfitted with all appliances necessary for food preparation and is waterproof for divers in wetsuits. Onboard built-in Bar-B-Que.

Galley seating Cushioned and separate chairs.

Sundeck Large upper deck area provides seating and pads for sunbathing.

First Aid Full first aid kit, O2 bottles, and crew is certified annually in CPR and O2 administration.

Lifesaving Rafts and Jackets for 110 passengers

Safety EPIRB (emergency position indicating radio beacon)

Fixed CO2 engine room fire suppression system

Compressors Ingersoll-Rand 10T-2@18 C.F.M.

Ingersoll-Rand 15T-4@21 C.F.M.

Capable of filling to 3500 P.S.I.

Nitrox Available

Live Game Wells Built in in transom for game storage.

Gear Storage Kayak rack for storing kayaks, paddleboards, and surfboards off the deck.

Stern Compartment Used for Wetsuit Drying Room, Game Freezing, Clothes Dryer

Exits Port, Starboard, and Bow exits for easy water entry. Mask rinsers at each exit.

Chase Boat 16 foot Caribe with 40 HP Honda 4-stroke outboard.

Water Boarding State of the art ramp at stern for easy boarding

Dive area All offshore Islands of Southern California. Primary destination of Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel Islands.

Other Islands visited are Catalina, Santa Barbara, San Clemente, San Nicolas, and Cortez Banks.

Cost Individual prices vary depending on charteree. All multi day trips include all meals, snacks, beverages (excluding alcoholic), and
air refills

Owner Glen Fritzler, Truth Aquatics Inc.
Address 301 West Cabrillo Blvd
Santa Barbara, CA 93101-3886 USA
Phone [phone] or 805-963-3564
Fax [phone]
Web www.truthaquatics.com
E-mail [e-mail]

Bunk Layout

[Dennis Donovan]

7. Package details:

http://www.worldwidedivingadventures.com/events/labor-day-weekend/

Labor Day Weekend; Northern Channel Islands
Date(s)
08/31/2019 - 09/02/2019

$665*
The Liveaboard
Truth Aquatics live-aboards are designed by divers for divers. Their commitment to service shows through the smiles of crewmembers that love their jobs and undergo special safety training. The Galley folks cook up some gourmet cuisine! We’re on the Conception for this holiday weekend.

The Destination
On the Labor Day trip, divers have the unique opportunity to explore the pinnacles of San Miguel Island. The beginning of September is the best time to be at San Mig, which see strong winds and swell during much of the year. This rarely visited island is loaded with color: anemones, crabs, nudibranchs covering every inch of wall with a rainbow. Great for macro-photography. Nutrient rich waters bathing this island bring BIG fish: halibut, bugs, rockfish, wolfeels, lingcod. The precipitous geology at Boomerang, Skyscrapers, Richardson’s and Wilson’s Rock will blow you away. The island also hosts pristine shallow reefs hosting an incredibly diverse collection of sea life. Night dives are delightful; octopi roam the reefs and bioluminescent zooplankton flash colors to silhouette the diver. Other destinations may include Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa, and Santa Barbara Islands.

We will meet at the Santa Barbara Harbor on Friday night, boarding anytime after 8pm. Fall asleep with the Conception departing at 4am, Saturday morning. The boat will return on Monday (Labor Day) about 5pm. The Sea Landing Dive Center is located within steps from the Truth Aquatic vessels for convenient equipment rental (tanks and weights are not provided on-board). See more details “Preparing for your Channel Islands Trip” on our Currents page. Marine Biologist Kristy brings her microscope to show divers silicious spicules and pumping pedicellariae– the colors on marine invertebrates are amazing up close!

Package includes:

Breakfasts made to order (ex. breakfast burrito)
Scrumptious lunches and dinners (ex. homemade pot pies and BBQ tri tip… let me know if you have dietary needs or are vegetarian…the chefs make great marinated tofu!)
Plenty of snacks and desserts (ex. spinach dip, and berry pie)
Non-alcoholic beverages (ex. sodas, juices, milk)
Unlimited air fills, unlimited diving
Fuel Surcharge
On-board Naturalist
Optional Add-ons:

Nitrox ($6/tank)
Kayak ($30/day)
Double bunk guarantee ($25/night, limited availability)
Spirits (if you’ve got lots, bring a cooler!)
Contact: Dan Chua, [phone], [e-mail]

Payment and Cancellation Policy: A $300 deposit reserves your space. Cancellations are subject to a $100 processing fee. Final payment is due one month prior to departure, late payments incur a 3% fee. No refunds may be processed after this date. Package price is subject to change.

*We now accept all major credit cards, as well as Venmo, Zelle and PayPal. Credit card and Paypal payments incur a 3.5% fee. Price subject to change.

Please make checks payable to: Worldwide Diving Adventures

[Demovictory9]

14. just one set of stairs to the topside? no window?

[backtoblue]

8. Incredibly sad

[Eugene]

9. Reuters says at least 29 missing. WaPo says at least 33 missing.

Dozens missing in California boat fire; 5 rescued -U.S. Coast Guard (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-california-fire/dozens-missing-in-california-boat-fire-5-rescued-u-s-coast-guard-idUSKCN1VN1CY

At least 33 missing after diving boat catches fire near California coast, officials say (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/09/02/missing-after-boat-fire-near-national-park-california-coast/


A handout photo made available by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department shows the Conception on fire off the north side of Santa Cruz Island. (SANTA BARBARA COUNTY FIRE HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/REX)

[Politicub]

10. CNN upped the number to 34

It’s heartbreaking.

[Demovictory9]

15. 34 is the total number of guests. they found at least 4 bodies

[rollin74]

12. Coast Guard has recovered 4 bodies

29 still missing

[hack89]

13. Looks like nearly everyone but the crew were below decks sleeping. nt

[Opel_Justwax]

16. A family member was on that boat a couple of weeks ago.

It is scary to wake up to the news and trying to remeber if the family member went this weekend or not.

[Vinca]

17. What's doubly horrible is that it was within swimming distance of land.

[maxsolomon]

19. If you can't get out of the lower decks, you can't swim for it.

Most likely everyone was trapped below deck.

[Baclava]

18. 25 bodies found after California boat fire

Coast Guard: 25 bodies found after California boat fire

Five of six crew members on the Conception escaped by jumping into an inflatable boat they steered to a nearby vessel.

The Coast Guard says five others have been found but not recovered due to unsafe conditions under the boat, which sank about 20 yards (18 meters) from shore.

https://www.kget.com/news/state-news...qFnENwQnw2f8Ek

[ChubbyStar]

20. All poor souls all 34 lost

https://www.aol.com/article/news/2019/09/03/no-one-found-alive-after-dive-boat-catches-fire-34-dead/23806371/