Truth Aquatics suspending operations.

[scubadada]

"With the continued calls and request for tours, we want to announce that we are officially suspending all operations of our Truth Aquatic fleet for a to-be-determined amount of time. We apologize to our customers who have been seeking reservations as well as those with reservations – and truly appreciate the expressions of support.

Right now we feel it’s important dedicate our entire efforts to make our boats models of new regulations that we will continue to work on with the NTSB and Coast Guard."

And,,,what would you do?

 

[markmud]

"They died because rules and regulations had yet to catch up with reality" does not have a good ring to it.

Hi Popgun,

It was reported, and I recall reading the COI for Conception, that it required a roving fire watch at all times while pax were aboard. I also recall the NTSB stating that no crewmember was performing the roving fire watch at the time of the casualty.

Am I wrong? If I am correct the USCG has their posterior completely covered, so to speak.

I think the regulations need to be reviewed, updated, and changes need to be made to vessels of similar design to Conception.

If the skipper had posted a roving fire watch, you would probably not even know the name of DV Conception as you are from Australia.

cheers mate,
m

 

[Bob DBF]

"They died because rules and regulations had yet to catch up with reality" does not have a good ring to it.

Which rule or regulation might that be?


Bob

 

[StefinSB]

"They died because rules and regulations had yet to catch up with reality" does not have a good ring to it.

I would see how fiberglass boats are in service in Australia that are "floating death traps"? Any idea?

 

[JackD342]

I don't think this has been linked into any threads yet:
https://nypost.com/2019/11/26/calif...nd-left-34-dead-was-exempt-from-safety-rules/

Aside from the major issue regarding all crew asleep with no watch, while considering new regulations such as for charging devices, the effort needs to start with possibly changing how to address older boats that are now grandfathered in and exempted from current standards.

"The Conception was one of 325 boats built before 1996 and given exemptions from standards imposed on new vessels, according to records cited by the Los Angeles Times. The newer rules required escape hatches at least 32 inches (81 centimeters) wide and illuminated exit signs.
The Conception, built in 1981, had a 24-inch (61-centimeter) hatch and no illuminated signs."

 

[Bob DBF]

The newer rules required escape hatches at least 32 inches (81 centimeters) wide and illuminated exit signs.
The Conception, built in 1981, had a 24-inch (61-centimeter) hatch and no illuminated signs."

Although this is something to look into and change, and sounds like it has been addressed by Truth Aquatics on their remaining boats, it had no bearing on the loss of life in the Conception fire.


Bob

 

[Popgun Pete]

Throughput out of emergency exits must have been a problem or people would have got out. As to vessels in Australia we are not running a competition here, the ability to get out of distressed vessels, aircraft, etc., is an important requirement and the original Conception fire thread went through this chapter and verse, so no need to rehash all that here. Loyalty to an operator is one thing, but safety is another. Anyway officialdom will have its say eventually, so you just have to wait and see.

I know a few divers in California, that is how I found out about the fire.

 

[Bigbella]

I don't think this has been linked into any threads yet:
https://nypost.com/2019/11/26/calif...nd-left-34-dead-was-exempt-from-safety-rules/

Aside from the major issue regarding all crew asleep with no watch, while considering new regulations such as for charging devices, the effort needs to start with possibly changing how to address older boats that are now grandfathered in and exempted from current standards.

"The Conception was one of 325 boats built before 1996 and given exemptions from standards imposed on new vessels, according to records cited by the Los Angeles Times. The newer rules required escape hatches at least 32 inches (81 centimeters) wide and illuminated exit signs.
The Conception, built in 1981, had a 24-inch (61-centimeter) hatch and no illuminated signs."

I had been on the entire Truth Aquatics fleet over twenty some odd years; and on the Conception or Truth, more often than not; and, yes, the hatches were small and awkward to negotiate in an emergency; but, putting all politeness aside, fully a third of the divers could never fit through those hatches, whether they were 61 or 81 centimeters wide. Shall we say, that custom suits were all too common, among those weekend warriors; and that a good percentage could barely access the bunks below?

C'mon, how many of us have been on a municipal bus at one time or another, and just did that idle head-count of just how many would fit through that emergency roof hatch, should an accident ever occur?

 

[BRT]

Throughput out of emergency exits must have been a problem or people would have got out. As to vessels in Australia we are not running a competition here, the ability to get out of distressed vessels, aircraft, etc., is an important requirement and the original Conception fire thread went through this chapter and verse, so no need to rehash all that here. Loyalty to an operator is one thing, but safety is another. Anyway officialdom will have its say eventually, so you just have to wait and see.

I know a few divers in California, that is how I found out about the fire.

If throughput was an issue, some would have got out and others not.

 

[drrich2]

"They died because rules and regulations had yet to catch up with reality" does not have a good ring to it.

No, but 'In light of this awful tragedy with great loss of life, we've gained understanding that will lead to improved safety standards going forward that may save the lives of others from a similar fate' offers something.

IIRC from other threads, the level of safety practices we benefit from today have at times been purchased by the blood of people who went before us.

I'm eager to see what changes this will bring in the live-aboard industry over time. I imagine it's brought a lot of awareness and pressure to bear.