Dive Boat Tragedy

[giantfan]

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.

[KMAC]

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.

[bulletbob]

Originally Posted by KMAC

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.

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

[giantfan]

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.

[AndyS]

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

[Rocky]

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.

[NoLimit]

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

[Capt. Debbie]

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.

Originally Posted by AndyS

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

[PaulNreel]

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.

[giantfan]

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.