Dive Boat Tragedy
 

So I'm sure most of you have already heard about the horrible accident in CA over the weekend.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...-cruz-n1049016

While looking at a picture of the boat it reminds me of many of the northeast party boats that run offshore trips.

This made me think..... what would happen if there was a fire in the cabin while everyone was sleeping in the bunks (way out or way in)? How do you get out? I have fished at least a half dozen different boats that had bunks downstairs and I can't remember one having an alternate exit.

I am not posting this to scare anyone or to discourage anyone from going, but with the offshore chunking season upon us, Take a look around when you are setting up your bunk for an alternate means of egress.

Re: Dive Boat Tragedy
 

We don't fish and travel offshore because it's safe. We do it for the experience. Of course we take precautions. But if you want to play it safe, stay home and watch Netflix. Here's a quote that sums it up: “A ship in harbor is safe — but that is not what ships are built for.” — John A. Shedd.

Re: Dive Boat Tragedy
 

Yeah, gotta go with that.. Even in fresh water, if you are on a boat on the water out , escape in a dire situation is problematic.. This was a horrible circumstance.. From everything I read the company that ran these dive charters/excursions had several boats, well trained crews and a good reputation..

You are never as safe in the water as you are on land, but as stated, we go for the experience, not so much to be "safe".. by the way party fishing boats are not immune.. Read about the Montauk party boat the Pelican...
http://www.fmundus.com/ThePelican.html

Re: Dive Boat Tragedy
 

Guys, I have over 75 canyon trips on my own boat not to mention friends and party boats. I am well aware of the risks and rewards.
All I was doing with this post is asking people to be aware of their surroundings.
Nothing more..... nothing less.
Is it going to stop me from sleeping in the lower bunk area of a party boat? NO! Just going to be a little more aware of how the hell to get out if there is a fire.

Re: Dive Boat Tragedy
 

Many engine rooms on some of the larger boats have a Halon dump system for fires, even private yachts have them.

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I have done many overnight trips on large boats sleeping on bunks below deck with only a single exit and, this tragedy has made me think about my safety. Obviously one exit is not the answer and I am sure this safety issue will be addressed for all of ours sake.

Re: Dive Boat Tragedy
 

There are reports that the bunks only exit was thru the galley - that might account for the fact that the only survivors were crew sleeping topside

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Also there aint many wooden party boats in these parts. That dive boat was supposed to be made of wood. What's that tell you about the burned up boat... old POS? Cheaper to charter perhaps?

Steel and aluminum don't burn so well.

But there are risks like carbon monoxide poisoning inside the hull area.

Supposed to have a fire watch. The crew not-save one escaped. Its a tragedy and a loit of things should have happened by didn't.

Re: Dive Boat Tragedy
 

If you put a room in your basement you need to have a secondary means of egress. The dive boat passed cost guard inspection and the dive operation seem to be a reputable outfit. I don't think there is any neglegence here (we still need to know what the cook was doing at 3:30am). Given the publicity that this has received I would not be surprised if new regs will require a secondary exit. But current boats will be grandfathered and new boats wil have them.

The thing I find curious is how violent the fire was. When I go offshore the hull of the boats is metal (Aluminum?) and there is little flamable materials on deck. I just don't see what could have sustained the fire.

Datacenters have stopped using Halon for safety reasons. Halon shut a fire down immediatly, great stuff. But Halon is heavier than air and anybody below deck will have a problem breathing.

We depend on the captain and crew to keep us safe, they usually do, but there is risk that cant be removed by regs.

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From what they are saying now is that there were two forms of egress but both were blocked by the flames.
It's a damn shame that they had no where to go....must have been horrible. God rest their souls.

Re: Dive Boat Tragedy
 

Sorry, I respectfully call that total BS. I travel offshore to catch and ONLY IF it is safe.

Respecting.. weather, boat , equipment and crew. Never ever would I take the fishing experience over coming back home safe.

Maybe Im getting old and the balls have shrunk, but to me coming home is the key.

Re: Dive Boat Tragedy
 

A real tragedy...

Putting yourself in harms way on purpose is one thing, an accident like this us yet another.

There are risks involved in just about anything you do but you take precautions to minimize them. Even so, and it seems in this case, things can and do happen...

Call me what you'd like, but I'll make the choice to sit home and watch Netflix if I have the slightest indication there is any sort of risk for me and my crew. No fish or "experience" is worth risking your life for...

"There are old pilots and bold pilots but there are no old bold pilots"

Re: Dive Boat Tragedy
 

Living spaces with smoke detectors and CO detectors? Fire hoses that work. Pumps that work on a wooden boat.

There's fire watches. and standing watches. The fire was VERY well advanced before even being noticed. Fire was supposedly started in the kitchen/galley.... it doesn't have windows to notice the ship is emitting an awful lot of light.

Yes some places in boats don't have multiple exits.

There's more to this story than just " sh*t happens" and "we assume risks"

Again... the boat was wood.... screams POS too.

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I believe the boat was made in early eighties. Everyone says very well respected and well run operation. No evidence of anything but a tragedy so far. Can we wait for an investigation before judging the Capt or the owner. If warranted after an investigation if someone is criminally liable let em fry. Until then no one should point fingers

That’s all I got to say bout that.

Re: Dive Boat Tragedy
 

Well said....give it a minute er three before passing judgement....

Re: Dive Boat Tragedy
 

Well said Steve and I couldn’t agree more!!

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I have been offshore on a number of party boats. I can't remember any that did not have at least one emergency exit from the sleeping area.

I do remember very well that some of the customers that sailed on these vessels thought nothing of piling their equipment on the hatch that allowed for emergency exits. In all cases these hatches were clearly marked. Safety at sea is everybody's business. Check out the exits when you get on board. Keep exit hatches clear. And don't open doors that are supposed to stay shut.

Re: Dive Boat Tragedy
 

Amen bill!

Re: Dive Boat Tragedy
 

Exactly