NTSB Board to Consider Probable Cause of Conception Dive Boat Fire

Photo of Conception before fire and subsequent sinking. Photo courtesy NTSB

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board this week will hold a board meeting to consider the agency’s investigation of last year’s fatal fire aboard the dive boat Conception off Santa Cruz Island, California.

The 75-foot commercial diving vessel, with 33 passengers and six crew aboard, was anchored in Platts Harbor off Santa Cruz Island when it caught fire on September 2, 2019. One crewmember and 33 passengers died in the accident.

The board meeting will be held October 20, 2020, at 1 p.m. (EDT).

The NTSB’s five-member board will vote on the findings, probable cause and recommendations as well as any changes to the draft final report.

The board meeting will be streamed live to the public with the board members and investigative staff meeting virtually due to the virus. There will be no physical gathering to facilitate the board meeting.

The NTSB last month opened the public docket from its investigation. The docket includes more than 100 factual reports and documents, including interview transcripts, photographs, and other investigative materials.

A link to the webcast will be available shortly before the start of the meeting at http://ntsb.windrosemedia.com/.

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