Boat owner expects commercial boat design changes following Conception boat tragedy

There is conflicting information about safety hatches in Conception’s sleeping quarters. One boat owner believes that particular safety aspect will be among key changes to future commercial boat designs.

Jon Shafer took our news crew aboard his private boat, the Kari J, Tuesday.

“I suspect that NTSB is going to look at this and really re-think the safety of having so many people crammed into such a small space,” Shafer said. “Really, they had 30, 40 bunks in what amounts to a box. I really suspect that moving forward, wholesale changes in the layout of the bunk room with more than one exit and entry staircase and, escape hatches will be implemented.”

Shafer said another safety exit on the bow of a boat would be key.

Like so many people in our community, the longtime Santa Barbara resident is devastated by Monday’s Conception boat fire, a dive boat he spent time on over the years.

“It could’ve erupted in the galley and if that were the case, the people down below in the bunk room would’ve been trapped.” Shafer said. “I’m really most concerned with survivors’ guilt of the people and the crew as well as the actual victims and their families.”

Shafer said he believes that private boats are safer than commercial boats because they often have one or two escape hatches in the ceiling above the bed in the sleeping quarters. He is certain that Monday’s tragedy will spur major changes in the industry, both in the water and on land.

“It takes a tragedy like this for us to learn and re-think,” Shafer said. “Boats from this point forward will be radically different in design and fire suppression and, just being mindful of what happened here today, my suspicion is that most of the boats in service currently will be taken out of service because they will not be able to be retrofitted to accommodate the safety changes that are forthcoming.”

Shafer said, eventually, he believes one local company will help set new standards.

“Truth Aquatics,” Shafer said. “They’ve been forerunners in this industry. They started this whole industry of dive charters. They will be at the leading edge of innovation, I’m sure of that.”

Shafer’s urged people not to rush to judgment or suspect any negligence on the part of the Conception crew, touting their safety training.