One year since Conception dive boat tragedy, memorial to honor victims

By Joe Buttitta

September 2, 2020 6:52 am

Published September 2, 2020 5:35 am

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - It has been one year since a fire onboard the Conception dive boat took the lives of 34 people off the coast of Santa Barbara. The Labor Day dive trip was anchored near Santa Cruz Island when a first started while nearly everyone onboard was asleep below decks.

Around 3:30 a.m. on Labor Day last year, that fire started. Five crew members survived, 33 passengers and one crew member did not.

***A makeshift memorial honoring the Conception 34 at the Lost at Sea memorial along the breakwater in Santa Barbara's harbor.*** (Photos: John Palminteri)

Conception's home dock was in the Santa Barbara Harbor. For weeks after the tragedy memorials grew on the docks. To mark the one year anniversary a permanent memorial will be unveiled.

**The new permanent memorial that will be unveiled during a virtual event.** (Photo: John Palminteri)

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic the scheduled events are happening virtually. And a live stream of the 7 a.m. memorial will be available at keyt.com.

Article Topic Follows: Santa Barbara - South County

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