TowBoatUS captain remembers responding to Conception tragedy
SANTA BARBARA, Calif.
Capt. Paul Amaral of TowBoatUS Ventura said he thinks about the Conception tragedy that killed 34 people everyday.
Amaral received the Coast Guard Meritorious Public Service award for his response to the early morning boat fire off Santa Cruz Island on Sept. 2, 2019.
Amaral and his crew helped tow the boat away from the rocks and helped with the recovery of the victims.
He has been in touch with relatives who lost loved ones and he has seen the boating industry make a comeback.
Amaral said he doesn't think there is ever a silver-lining to loss, but he does think boating will make safety changes.
The Coast Guard has not released the cause yet, but many people in the industry believe the tragedy had something to do the with the charging of lithium-ion batteries, and the use of power strips and extension cords and the location of the escape hatch.
Recommendations have already been made not to overload charging stations and not to leave them unattended.
Despite the tragedy, the boating and charter business appears to be busy heading into another Labor Day weekend.
People have been looking for outdoor activities during the pandemic and boating has benefited.
Kenny Kieding of Chandlery Yacht Sales said he has never been busier.
Kieding said his staff has been working 7-days a week to keep up with the demand.
The Conception's parent company Truth Aquatics is not chartering its remaining boats, but other boats are being used for island trips.
Relatives and non divers went to Santa Cruz Island on the Condor to mark the anniversary. Another group took part in a memorial dive out of the Ventura Harbor.
The new memorial plaque was unveiled at the end of the Santa Barbara break wall where visitors can see the names and photos of the people who died.
Artists have also created work to honor the divers.
Helene Webb created a memorial on the dock where she has a barge with a glass-bottom window into the harbor.
Her friends and neighbors said they appreciate seeing the photos of the divers, alongside artwork and a map of where it happened.
Webb said she hopes it helps people heal.
